United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-CSR
Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management Investment Companies
811-3984
(Investment Company Act File Number)
Federated International Series, Inc.
_______________________________________________________________
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Federated Investors Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15086-7561
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(412) 288-1900
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
John W. McGonigle, Esquire
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service)
Date of Fiscal Year End: 11/30/16
Date of Reporting Period: 11/30/16
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001623632-17-000104/fedregcovsmall.gif)
Annual Shareholder Report
November 30, 2016
Share Class | Ticker |
A | FTIIX |
B | FTBBX |
C | FTIBX |
Federated International Bond Fund
(effective December 16, 2016, the Fund's name will be Federated Global Total Return Bond Fund)
Fund Established 1991
A Portfolio of Federated International Series, Inc.
Dear Valued Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the Annual Shareholder Report for your fund covering the period from December 1, 2015 through November 30, 2016. This report includes Management's Discussion of Fund Performance, a complete listing of your fund's holdings, performance information and financial statements along with other important fund information.
In addition, our website, FederatedInvestors.com, offers easy access to Federated resources that include timely fund updates, economic and market insights from our investment strategists, and financial planning tools. We invite you to register to take full advantage of its capabilities.
Thank you for investing with Federated. I hope you find this information useful and look forward to keeping you informed.
Sincerely,
J. Christopher Donahue, President
Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee
CONTENTS
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Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (unaudited)
The total return of Federated International Bond Fund (the “Fund”), based on net asset value for the 12-month reporting period ended November 30, 2016, was 2.73% for Class A Shares, 1.95% for Class B Shares and 1.86% for Class C Shares. The total return for the J.P. Morgan Global (ex-U.S.) Government Bond Index (JPMGXUS),1 the Fund's broad-based securities market index, was 4.49% for the same period. The Fund's total return for the most recently completed fiscal year reflected actual cash flows, transaction costs and other expenses, which were not reflected in the total return of the JPMGXUS.
The Fund's investment strategy focused on four central factors which helped define the Fund's performance relative to the JPMGXUS: (1) the currency denomination of the selected securities; (2) the effective duration2 of the portfolio; (3) yield curve; and (4) country3 selection. These four market elements were the most significant factors affecting the Fund's performance relative to the JPMGXUS.
The following discussion will focus on the Fund's Class A Shares.
MARKET OVERVIEW
During the reporting period, a host of traditional economic forces helped to define global financial markets. Oil volatility, Chinese economic uncertainty, European Union (EU) deflationary threats, and U.S. monetary expectations all contributed to shaping global risk premiums. However, geopolitical events, specifically the U.K. opting to end its membership in the EU (“Brexit”) and the contentious U.S. presidential election, dwarfed practically every other market narrative in 2016.
At the start of 2016, the world's third largest economy, Japan, unhinged global markets when it introduced negative deposit rates. By doing so, Japan effectively placed itself among the growing number of countries where investors now pay governments to buy their bonds. Ongoing concern over supply imbalances in oil inventories added to the turmoil and sent WTI valuations reeling lower early in the first quarter. The unprecedented volatility in oil prices provided yet another incentive for investors to continue to reduce their equity holdings. At the crest of the deleveraging, most global equity markets were down in excess of 11%. Global government bond markets were on the receiving end of this equity sell-off and benefited from the general flight to safety.
In the early summer months of 2016, markets were riddled with volatility. The bulk of the instability was a byproduct of the U.K. referendum vote to either leave or remain in the EU. Lurking in the shadow of Brexit, economic data among the developed economies was generally tepid and, despite the run-up in oil prices, disinflationary pressures remained stubbornly anchored. With all the uncertainty looming around the U.K., most major central banks wisely
Annual Shareholder Report
adopted a “wait and see” posture and kept their mandates unchanged. The wave of uncertainty further galvanized the demand for secure investment vehicles and nowhere was this more evidenced than in the safety of developed government bonds.
Soon after the U.K.'s decision to opt out of the EU, it grew clear to many that the result would not necessarily translate into systematic financial shock. Accordingly, most developed equity markets reaped healthy gains. Additionally, both the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan refrained from major changes to their respective monetary programs. Ironically, the sheer absence of additional stimulus began to fuel conclusions that the era of endless quantitative easing was possibly coming to an end. Consequently, benchmark yields in most developed bond markets began to rise in the late summer months of the reporting period.
Defying nearly all predictions, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States in the closing days of the reporting period. Trump's election fueled a rise to the U.S. dollar and yields on promises of massive fiscal spending and tax reform. The combination of nationalism, reflation and deregulation were also seen as good for U.S. equities and the U.S. dollar. However, the news was not so kind to U.S. Treasuries, and to global yields in general. In the days that followed the election, and led by the U.S. Treasury market, global yields began to rise materially.
CURRENCY DENOMINATION
The most influential factor affecting the Fund's performance was the currency denomination of the selected securities. Early in the period, removal of a substantial overweight allocation to the U.S. dollar greatly benefited Fund performance relative to the JPMGXUS, as the U.S. dollar began to weaken against a host of developed currencies. At the onset of the Fund's fiscal year, an overweight allocation to the Japanese yen, relative to the JPMGXUS, bettered returns. As the reporting period progressed, Japanese yen appreciation appeared excessive and unsustainable. Consequently, the Fund's overweight allocation to the yen was reduced to an underweight. Soon after, the Trump U.S. presidential victory catalyzed a sizable sell-off in the Japanese currency and helped to enhance performance relative to the JPMGXUS.
Annual Shareholder Report
DURATION and yield curve
The effective duration of the portfolio also played a sizable role in the Fund's performance. The Fund's weighted average duration at the end of the reporting period was 8.27 years. Fund duration is effectively the Fund's sensitivity to movements in interest rates;4 the lower the duration, the less the net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate due to changes in interest rates. The Fund generally maintained an underweight allocation relative to the JPMGXUS throughout the reporting period. The composition of duration generally favored European peripheral countries, mainly Spain. In contrast, the Fund had a lower duration sensitivity to countries with negative interest rates, namely Germany and Japan. On the basis that investors were not being compensated adequately for the inherent volatility of long dated bonds, the Fund was generally underweight 30-year Japanese government bonds. Yield curve selection was a primary detractor from Fund performance relative to the JPMGXUS.
COUNTRY SELECTION
An overweight allocation to Sweden detracted from Fund performance relative to the JPMGXUS. Lastly, the Fund's active management of commodity-linked investments, namely in Canada and Norway, benefited overall Fund performance.
1 | Please see the footnotes to the line graphs under “Fund Performance and Growth of a $10,000 Investment” below for the definition of, and more information about, the JPMGXUS. At the end of the reporting period, the Fund's adviser has elected to change the broad-based securities market index from the J.P. Morgan Global (ex-U.S.) Government Index to the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index to reflect the Fund's repositioning as a global return product. The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index had a total return of 3.10% for the reporting period. Please see the footnotes to the line graphs under “Fund Performance and Growth of a $10,000 Investment” below for the definition of, and more information about, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index. |
2 | Duration is a measure of a security's price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Securities with longer durations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations. |
3 | International investing involves special risks including currency risk, increased volatility of foreign securities, political risks, and differences in auditing and other financial standards. |
4 | Bond prices are sensitive to changes in interest rates, and a rise in interest rates can cause a decline in their prices. |
Annual Shareholder Report
FUND PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
The graph below illustrates the hypothetical investment of $10,0001 in the Federated International Bond Fund (the “Fund”) from November 30, 2006 to November 30, 2016, compared to the J.P. Morgan Global (ex-U.S.) Government Bond Index (JPMGXUS)2 and the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (BBGAI).3 The Average Annual Total Return table below shows returns for each class averaged over the stated periods.
Growth of a $10,000 Investment
Growth of $10,000 as of November 30, 2016
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001623632-17-000104/fgtrbar3010401.jpg)
Federated International Bond Fund - | Class C Shares | Class A Shares | JPMGXUS | BBGAI |
| F | F | I | I |
11/30/2006 | 10,000 | 9,550 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
11/30/2007 | 10,629 | 10,227 | 10,960 | 10,835 |
11/30/2008 | 10,438 | 10,116 | 11,208 | 10,658 |
11/30/2009 | 12,622 | 12,311 | 13,384 | 12,578 |
11/30/2010 | 11,938 | 11,734 | 13,056 | 12,611 |
11/30/2011 | 12,523 | 12,399 | 14,106 | 13,406 |
11/30/2012 | 12,961 | 12,931 | 14,561 | 14,126 |
11/30/2013 | 12,048 | 12,109 | 13,786 | 13,796 |
11/30/2014 | 11,644 | 11,788 | 13,399 | 13,890 |
11/30/2015 | 10,827 | 11,045 | 12,460 | 13,288 |
11/30/2016 | 11,028 | 11,347 | 13,020 | 13,701 |
41 graphic description end -->
■ | The returns shown for the Class C Shares include the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% as applicable. |
■ | Total returns shown for the Class A Shares include the maximum sales charge of 4.50% ($10,000 investment minus $450 sales charge = $9,550). |
The Fund offers multiple share classes whose performance may be greater than or less than its other share class(es) due to differences in sales charges and expenses. See the Average Annual Total Return table below for the returns of additional classes not shown in the graph above.
Average Annual Total Returns for the Period Ended 11/30/2016
(returns reflect all applicable sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges as specified below in footnote #1)
| 1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
Class A Shares | -1.91% | -2.66% | 1.28% |
Class B Shares | -3.55% | -2.87% | 1.13% |
Class C Shares | 0.86% | -2.51% | 0.98% |
JPMGXUS | 4.49% | -1.59% | 2.67% |
BBGAI | 3.10% | 0.44% | 3.20% |
Annual Shareholder Report
Performance data quoted represents past performance which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Mutual fund performance changes over time and current performance may be lower or higher than what is stated. For current to the most recent month-end performance and after-tax returns, visit FederatedInvestors.com or call 1-800-341-7400. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Mutual funds are not obligations of or guaranteed by any bank and are not federally insured.
1 | Represents a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund after deducting applicable sales charge: for Class A Shares, the maximum sales charge of 4.50% ($10,000 investment minus $450 sales charge = $9,550); for Class B Shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 5.50% on any redemption less than one year from the purchase date; for Class C Shares, a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge would be applied to any redemption less than one year from the purchase date. The Fund's performance assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The JPMGXUS and BBGAI have been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of dividends on securities in the indexes. |
2 | The JPMGXUS is an index representative of the total return performance of major non-U.S. bond markets. The JPMGXUS is not adjusted to reflect sales loads, expenses or other fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires to be reflected in the Fund's performance. The index is unmanaged and, unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. |
3 | The BBGAI provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade, fixed-income markets. At the end of the reporting period, the Fund's adviser has elected to change the broad-based securities market index from the J.P. Morgan Global (ex-U.S.) Government Index to the BBGAI to reflect the Fund's repositioning as a global return product. The BBGAI is not adjusted to reflect sales loads, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund's performance. The index is unmanaged and, unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. |
Annual Shareholder Report
Portfolio of Investments Summary Table (unaudited)
At November 30, 2016, the Fund's issuer country and currency exposure composition1 were as follows:
Country | Country Exposure as a Percentage of Total Net Assets2,3 | Currency Exposure as a Percentage of Total Net Assets2,4 |
Japan | 20.7% | 32.2% |
Italy | 12.6% | — |
United States | 8.9% | 1.8% |
France | 9.5% | — |
United Kingdom | 7.9% | 12.2% |
Supranational5 | 6.9% | — |
Netherlands | 6.2% | — |
Germany | 4.4% | — |
Spain | 4.3% | — |
Belgium | 3.6% | — |
Australia | 2.8% | 2.8% |
Canada | 2.2% | 2.2% |
Other6 | 0.8% | 0.8% |
Euro | — | 38.8% |
SUB-TOTAL | 90.8% | 90.8% |
Cash Equivalents7 | 5.7% | 5.7% |
Derivative Contracts8 | 0.0%9 | 0.0%9 |
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net10 | 3.5% | 3.5% |
TOTAL | 100.0% | 100.0% |
1 | Unless otherwise noted below, this table does not give effect to the impact of derivative contract instruments owned by the Fund. More complete information regarding the Fund's investments in derivative contracts can be found in the tables at the end of the Portfolio of Investments included in this Report. |
| The fixed-income securities of some issuers may not be denominated in the currency of the issuer's designated country. Therefore, the two columns above “Country Exposure as a Percentage of Total Net Assets” and “Currency Exposure as a Percentage of Total Net Assets” may not be equal. |
2 | As of the date specified above, the Fund owned shares of one or more affiliated investment companies. For purposes of this table, the affiliated investment company (other than an affiliated money market mutual fund) is not treated as a single portfolio security, but rather the Fund is treated as owning a pro rata portion of each security and each other asset and liability owned by the affiliated investment company. Accordingly, the percentages of total net assets shown in the table will differ from those presented on the Portfolio of Investments. |
3 | This column depicts the Fund's exposure to various countries through its investment in foreign fixed-income securities, along with the Fund's holdings of cash equivalents and other assets and liabilities. With respect to foreign corporate fixed-income securities, country allocations are based primarily on the country in which the issuing company has registered the security. However, the Fund's Adviser may allocate the company to a country based on other factors such as the location of the company's head office, the jurisdiction of the company's incorporation, the location of the principal trading market for the company's securities or the country from which a majority of the company's revenue is derived. |
Annual Shareholder Report
4 | This column depicts the Fund's exposure to various currencies through its investment in foreign fixed-income securities, currency derivative contracts and foreign exchange contracts (which for purposes of this Report includes any currency options sold by the Fund and currency forward contracts). |
5 | Supranational consists of European Investment Banks. |
6 | For purposes of this table, issuer country exposure which constitutes less than 1.00% of the Fund's total net assets have been aggregated under the designation of “Other.” |
7 | Cash Equivalents includes any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight repurchase agreements. This does not include cash held in the Fund that is denominated in foreign currencies. See the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for information regarding the Fund's foreign cash position. |
8 | Based upon net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) or value of the derivative contracts as applicable. Derivative contracts may consist of futures, forwards, options and swaps. The impact of a derivative contract on the Fund's performance may be larger than its unrealized appreciation (depreciation) or value may indicate. In many cases, the notional value or amount of a derivative contract may provide a better indication of the contract's significance to the portfolio. More complete information regarding the Fund's direct investment in derivative contracts, including unrealized appreciation (depreciation), value, and notional values or amounts of such contracts, can be found in the table at the end of the Portfolio of Investments included in this report. |
9 | Represents less than 0.1%. |
10 | Assets, other than investments in securities and derivative contracts, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
Annual Shareholder Report
Portfolio of Investments
November 30, 2016
Foreign Currency Par Amount or Shares | | | Value in U.S. Dollars |
| | BONDS—88.4% | |
| | AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR—2.8% | |
| | Sovereign—2.8% | |
300,000 | | Australia, Government of, 2.75%, 4/21/2024 | $224,947 |
640,000 | | Australia, Government of, Series 21, 5.50%, 6/21/2021 | 535,402 |
| | TOTAL AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR | 760,349 |
| | BRITISH POUND—11.3% | |
| | Insurance—3.4% | |
700,000 | | MetLife Global Funding I, Series EMTN, 2.875%, 1/11/2023 | 921,339 |
| | Sovereign—7.9% | |
280,000 | | United Kingdom, Government of, 3.25%, 1/22/2044 | 437,992 |
250,000 | | United Kingdom, Government of, 4.25%, 12/7/2027 | 398,383 |
400,000 | | United Kingdom, Government of, Bond, 4.25%, 3/7/2036 | 685,109 |
380,000 | | United Kingdom, Government of, Unsecd. Note, 4.25%, 6/7/2032 | 632,644 |
| | TOTAL | 2,154,128 |
| | TOTAL BRITISH POUND | 3,075,467 |
| | CANADIAN DOLLAR—2.2% | |
| | Sovereign—2.2% | |
300,000 | | Canada, Government of, 5.75%, 6/1/2029 | 322,749 |
370,000 | | Canada, Government of, Unsecd. Note, 0.75%, 3/1/2021 | 272,827 |
| | TOTAL CANADIAN DOLLAR | 595,576 |
| | DANISH KRONE—0.2% | |
| | Mortgage Banks—0.2% | |
296,932 | | Realkredit Danmark A/S, Series 23D, 5.00%, 10/1/2035 | 47,488 |
| | EURO—39.1% | |
| | Sovereign—39.1% | |
340,000 | 1,2 | Belgium, Government of, 0.80%, 6/22/2025 | 371,347 |
500,000 | | Belgium, Government of, 2.25%, 6/22/2023 | 609,895 |
630,000 | | France, Government of, 0.50%, 5/25/2025 | 668,804 |
150,000 | | France, Government of, 4.25%, 10/25/2023 | 204,254 |
300,000 | | France, Government of, Bond, 4.50%, 4/25/2041 | 515,192 |
725,000 | | France, Government of, O.A.T., 5.50%, 4/25/2029 | 1,185,197 |
400,000 | | Germany, Government of, Bond, 4.75%, 7/4/2034 | 714,059 |
430,000 | | Germany, Government of, Unsecd. Note, 1.00%, 8/15/2025 | 491,559 |
1,050,000 | | Italy, Government of, 2.15%, 12/15/2021 | 1,180,072 |
Annual Shareholder Report
Foreign Currency Par Amount or Shares | | | Value in U.S. Dollars |
| | BONDS—continued | |
| | EURO—continued | |
| | Sovereign—continued | |
750,000 | | Italy, Government of, 4.50%, 5/1/2023 | $950,526 |
800,000 | | Italy, Government of, 4.50%, 3/1/2024 | 1,019,575 |
200,000 | | Italy, Government of, 4.50%, 3/1/2026 | 258,115 |
900,000 | 1,2 | Netherlands, Government of, 1.75%, 7/15/2023 | 1,070,536 |
140,000 | 1,2 | Spain, Government of, 5.15%, 10/31/2028 | 201,887 |
420,000 | 1,2 | Spain, Government of, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.95%, 7/30/2030 | 450,274 |
100,000 | 1,2 | Spain, Government of, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.75%, 10/31/2024 | 117,537 |
550,000 | 1,2 | Spain, Government of, Unsecd. Note, 1.60%, 4/30/2025 | 594,139 |
| | TOTAL EURO | 10,602,968 |
| | JAPANESE YEN—32.2% | |
| | Banking—9.2% | |
110,000,000 | | Asian Development Bank, 2.35%, 6/21/2027 | 1,195,014 |
70,000,000 | | Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, Series EMTN, 1.85%, 4/12/2017 | 615,838 |
65,000,000 | | European Investment Bank, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.15%, 1/18/2027 | 690,993 |
| | TOTAL | 2,501,845 |
| | Finance—3.1% | |
97,000,000 | | General Electric Capital Corp., Series MTN, 2.00%, 2/22/2017 | 850,978 |
| | Sovereign—19.9% | |
70,000,000 | | Japan, Government of, 1.90%, 12/20/2023 | 696,390 |
140,000,000 | | Japan, Government of, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 0.60%, 12/20/2023 | 1,280,394 |
150,000,000 | | Japan, Government of, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.30%, 6/20/2035 | 1,524,282 |
119,500,000 | | Japan, Government of, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.70%, 9/20/2044 | 1,353,675 |
50,000,000 | | Japan, Government of, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.80%, 9/20/2030 | 534,601 |
| | TOTAL | 5,389,342 |
| | TOTAL JAPANESE YEN | 8,742,165 |
| | SWEDISH KRONA—0.6% | |
| | Sovereign—0.6% | |
1,350,000 | | Sweden, Government of, 1.00%, 11/12/2026 | 152,964 |
| | TOTAL BONDS (IDENTIFIED COST $25,754,611) | 23,976,977 |
| | PURCHASED PUT OPTION—0.2% | |
1,700,000 | | Bank of America Merrill Lynch USD Call/JPY Put, Strike Price $111, Expiration Date 12/15/2016 (IDENTIFIED COST $12,070) | 55,064 |
Annual Shareholder Report
Foreign Currency Par Amount or Shares | | | Value in U.S. Dollars |
| | INVESTMENT COMPANIES—7.9%3 | |
1,534,613 | | Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.56%4 | $1,534,766 |
63,511 | | Federated Project and Trade Finance Core Fund | 590,652 |
| | TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES (IDENTIFIED COST $2,168,233) | 2,125,418 |
| | TOTAL INVESTMENTS—96.5% (IDENTIFIED COST $27,934,914)5 | 26,157,459 |
| | OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—3.5%6 | 962,242 |
| | TOTAL NET ASSETS—100% | $27,119,701 |
At November 30, 2016, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
Description | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Expiration Date | Unrealized (Depreciation) |
7United States Treasury Notes, 10 Year, Long Futures | 15 | $1,867,734 | March 2017 | $(4,018) |
At November 30, 2016, the Fund had the following outstanding foreign exchange contracts:
Settlement Date | Counterparty | Currency Units to Receive/Deliver | In Exchange For | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
Contracts Purchased: |
12/8/2016 | JPMorgan | 138,236,800 JPY | $1,229,156 | $(20,184) |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | 1,400,000 AUD | $1,070,650 | $(37,073) |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | $1,100,000 | 110,444,400 JPY | $134,025 |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | $1,900,000 | 197,917,300 JPY | $168,964 |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | $2,000,000 | 206,220,000 JPY | $196,347 |
12/9/2016 | Barclays | 110,000 AUD | 677,488 NOK | $1,629 |
12/9/2016 | Barclays | 115,000 AUD | 708,283 NOK | $1,703 |
12/9/2016 | Barclays | 450,000 AUD | 2,771,541 NOK | $6,664 |
12/9/2016 | Barclays | 1,000,000 EUR | $1,120,125 | $(59,691) |
12/9/2016 | BNP Paribas | 525,000 EUR | 446,805 GBP | $(2,500) |
12/9/2016 | Citibank | 830,000 EUR | 98,637,615 JPY | $17,450 |
12/9/2016 | Citibank | 2,500,000 EUR | $2,759,025 | $(107,940) |
12/9/2016 | Credit Agricole | 110,000 AUD | 672,425 NOK | $2,224 |
12/9/2016 | Credit Agricole | 115,000 AUD | 702,989 NOK | $2,325 |
12/9/2016 | Goldman Sachs | 1,900,000 EUR | $2,107,248 | $(92,424) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 900,000 AUD | $687,688 | $(23,246) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,100,000 AUD | $848,284 | $(36,188) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 500,000 EUR | 711,442 AUD | $4,981 |
Annual Shareholder Report
Settlement Date | Counterparty | Currency Units to Receive/Deliver | In Exchange For | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
Contracts Purchased: (continued) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 550,000 EUR | $601,664 | $(18,425) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 600,000 EUR | $674,125 | $(37,864) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 800,000 EUR | $871,004 | $(22,658) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 897,500 EUR | 8,710,574 SEK | $6,663 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 897,500 EUR | 8,812,718 SEK | $(4,419) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 988,372 EUR | $1,114,897 | $(66,794) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,000,000 EUR | 1,534,773 NZD | $(26,152) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 240,000 GBP | $295,505 | $4,883 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 500,000 GBP | $661,529 | $(35,722) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 500,000 NZD | 476,738 CAD | $(950) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 500,000 NZD | 466,877 CAD | $6,391 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 567,567 NZD | 539,460 CAD | $188 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 567,568 NZD | 543,385 CAD | $(2,734) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 670,000 NZD | 644,671 CAD | $(5,623) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 700,000 NZD | 673,536 CAD | $(5,875) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 832,432 NZD | 796,732 CAD | $(3,837) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,000,000 NZD | 944,902 CAD | $4,482 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,400,000 NZD | 1,334,411 CAD | $(2,322) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,400,000 NZD | $1,013,657 | $(22,489) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $450,000 | 47,962,152 JPY | $30,511 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,000,000 | 107,013,710 JPY | $64,030 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,100,000 | 112,809,224 JPY | $113,341 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,199,428 | 121,316,982 JPY | $138,358 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,560,000 | 157,774,858 JPY | $180,060 |
12/9/2016 | Morgan Stanley | 230,000 AUD | 1,464,479 NOK | $(2,222) |
12/9/2016 | Morgan Stanley | 900,000 AUD | $690,120 | $(25,678) |
12/19/2016 | JPMorgan | $500,000 | 56,187,210 JPY | $8,236 |
Contracts Sold: |
12/2/2016 | JPMorgan | 912,803 EUR | $968,849 | $1,415 |
12/2/2016 | JPMorgan | 138,236,800 JPY | $1,228,899 | $20,588 |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | 1,400,000 AUD | $1,070,776 | $37,199 |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | 900,000 AUD | $688,887 | $24,445 |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | $1,100,000 | 113,371,500 JPY | $(108,424) |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | $1,100,000 | 112,565,200 JPY | $(115,476) |
12/9/2016 | Bank of America | $950,000 | 97,844,300 JPY | $(94,228) |
12/9/2016 | Barclays | 230,000 AUD | 1,420,390 NOK | $(2,957) |
12/9/2016 | Barclays | 220,000 AUD | 1,357,433 NOK | $(2,969) |
12/9/2016 | Barclays | 600,000 EUR | $670,800 | $34,540 |
Annual Shareholder Report
Settlement Date | Counterparty | Currency Units to Receive/Deliver | In Exchange For | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
Contracts Sold: (continued) |
12/9/2016 | BNP Paribas | 1,050,000 EUR | 918,635 GBP | $36,320 |
12/9/2016 | BNP Paribas | 525,000 EUR | 449,014 GBP | $5,264 |
12/9/2016 | Citibank | 2,500,000 EUR | $2,749,123 | $98,039 |
12/9/2016 | Citibank | 830,000 EUR | 99,288,818 JPY | $(11,754) |
12/9/2016 | Citibank | 500,000 EUR | 721,492 AUD | $2,438 |
12/9/2016 | Citibank | 1,400,000 NZD | 1,337,378 CAD | $4,532 |
12/9/2016 | Credit Agricole | 450,000 AUD | 2,744,685 NOK | $(9,819) |
12/9/2016 | Credit Agricole | 230,000 AUD | 1,418,721 NOK | $(3,153) |
12/9/2016 | Goldman Sachs | 1,900,000 EUR | $2,101,590 | $86,766 |
12/9/2016 | Goldman Sachs | 1,000,000 NZD | 955,640 CAD | $3,512 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,795,000 EUR | 17,099,142 SEK | $(48,263) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,000,000 EUR | 1,524,723 NZD | $19,037 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 988,372 EUR | $1,080,863 | $32,760 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 600,000 EUR | $673,592 | $37,332 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 550,000 EUR | $602,567 | $19,329 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 500,000 GBP | $666,824 | $41,017 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 240,000 GBP | $297,968 | $(2,420) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,400,000 NZD | 1,336,749 CAD | $4,063 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,400,000 NZD | $1,018,942 | $27,773 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 1,000,000 NZD | 939,984 CAD | $(8,144) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 700,000 NZD | 667,887 CAD | $1,669 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 670,000 NZD | 639,357 CAD | $1,667 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | 567,568 NZD | 544,154 CAD | $3,307 |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,170,000 | 121,629,620 JPY | $(106,196) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,100,000 | 114,084,146 JPY | $(102,191) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,000,000 | 109,255,500 JPY | $(44,423) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $1,000,000 | 109,687,490 JPY | $(40,645) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $950,000 | 99,829,477 JPY | $(76,866) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $600,000 | 62,006,676 JPY | $(57,674) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $526,902 | 56,238,333 JPY | $(35,027) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $500,000 | 51,294,375 JPY | $(51,366) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $373,098 | 39,716,925 JPY | $(25,724) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $300,000 | 31,827,204 JPY | $(21,631) |
12/9/2016 | JPMorgan | $90,000 | 9,832,995 JPY | $(3,998) |
12/9/2016 | Morgan Stanley | 2,000,000 AUD | $1,532,830 | $56,292 |
Annual Shareholder Report
Settlement Date | Counterparty | Currency Units to Receive/Deliver | In Exchange For | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
Contracts Sold: (continued) |
12/19/2016 | Bank of America | $500,000 | 55,499,500 JPY | $(14,255) |
12/19/2016 | Bank of America | $500,000 | 56,987,500 JPY | $(1,232) |
12/19/2016 | Bank of America | $300,000 | 34,225,200 JPY | $(453) |
12/19/2016 | JPMorgan | $500,000 | 56,412,155 JPY | $(6,267) |
NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS | $34,194 |
Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Futures Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts is included in “Other Assets and Liabilities—Net.”
1 | Denotes a restricted security that either: (a) cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, or being able to take advantage of an exemption from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933; or (b) is subject to a contractual restriction on public sales. At November 30, 2016, these restricted securities amounted to $2,805,720, which represented 10.3% of total net assets. |
2 | Denotes a restricted security that may be resold without restriction to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and that the Fund has determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Fund's Board of Directors (the “Directors”). At November 30, 2016, these liquid restricted securities amounted to $2,805,720, which represented 10.3% of total net assets. |
3 | Affiliated holdings. |
4 | 7-day net yield. |
5 | The cost of investments for federal tax purposes amounts to $28,245,907. |
6 | Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
7 | Non-income-producing security. |
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at November 30, 2016.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Annual Shareholder Report
The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of November 30, 2016, in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value:
Valuation Inputs |
| Level 1— Quoted Prices | Level 2— Other Significant Observable Inputs | Level 3— Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total |
Debt Securities: | | | | |
Bonds | $— | $23,976,977 | $— | $23,976,977 |
Purchased Put Option | — | 55,064 | — | 55,064 |
Investment Companies1 | 1,534,766 | — | — | 2,125,418 |
TOTAL SECURITIES | $1,534,766 | $24,032,041 | $— | $26,157,459 |
Other Financial Instruments:2 | | | | |
Assets | $1,415 | $1,691,344 | $— | $1,692,759 |
Liabilities | (4,018) | (1,658,565) | — | (1,662,583) |
TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | $(2,603) | $32,779 | $— | $30,176 |
1 | As permitted by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Investment Companies valued at $590,652 are measured at fair value using the net asset value (NAV) per share practical expedient and have not been categorized in the chart above but are included in the Total column. The amount included herein is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value classifications to the amounts presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The price of shares redeemed of Federated Project and Trade Finance Core Fund may be determined as of the closing NAV of the fund up to twenty-four days after receipt of a shareholder redemption request. |
2 | Other financial instruments include futures contracts and foreign exchange contracts. |
The following acronyms are used throughout this portfolio:
AUD | —Australian Dollar |
CAD | —Canadian Dollar |
EMTN | —Euro Medium Term Note |
EUR | —Euro |
GBP | —Great British Pound |
JPY | —Japanese Yen |
MTN | —Medium Term Note |
NOK | —Norwegian Krone |
NZD | —New Zealand Dollar |
SEK | —Swedish Krona |
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
Financial Highlights–Class A Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended November 30 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $9.52 | $10.16 | $10.58 | $11.65 | $11.67 |
Income From Investment Operations: | | | | | |
Net investment income1 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.14 | 0.15 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts, options and foreign currency transactions | 0.24 | (0.70) | (0.39) | (0.86) | 0.33 |
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS | 0.26 | (0.64) | (0.28) | (0.72) | 0.48 |
Less Distributions: | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income | — | — | (0.14) | (0.35) | (0.50) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $9.78 | $9.52 | $10.16 | $10.58 | $11.65 |
Total Return2 | 2.73% | (6.30)% | (2.65)% | (6.36)% | 4.29% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets: | | | | | |
Net expenses | 1.00% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.99% |
Net investment income | 0.15% | 0.57% | 1.02% | 1.32% | 1.31% |
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 | 1.40% | 1.20% | 1.02% | 0.95% | 1.03% |
Supplemental Data: | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $24,366 | $30,725 | $51,347 | $49,202 | $59,710 |
Portfolio turnover | 87% | 90% | 87% | 44% | 67% |
1 | Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. |
3 | This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and net investment income ratios shown above. |
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
Financial Highlights–Class B Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended November 30 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $9.22 | $9.91 | $10.31 | $11.32 | $11.35 |
Income From Investment Operations: | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)1 | (0.06) | (0.02) | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.06 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts, options and foreign currency transactions | 0.24 | (0.67) | (0.38) | (0.84) | 0.32 |
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS | 0.18 | (0.69) | (0.35) | (0.78) | 0.38 |
Less Distributions: | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income | — | — | (0.05) | (0.23) | (0.41) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $9.40 | $9.22 | $9.91 | $10.31 | $11.32 |
Total Return2 | 1.95% | (6.96)% | (3.44)% | (7.00)% | 3.44% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets: | | | | | |
Net expenses | 1.75% | 1.74% | 1.74% | 1.74% | 1.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | (0.59)% | (0.18)% | 0.29% | 0.55% | 0.58% |
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 | 1.16% | 0.96% | 0.78% | 0.70% | 0.78% |
Supplemental Data: | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $544 | $901 | $1,515 | $1,986 | $3,444 |
Portfolio turnover | 87% | 90% | 87% | 44% | 67% |
1 | Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. |
3 | This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios shown above. |
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
Financial Highlights–Class C Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended November 30 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $9.14 | $9.83 | $10.23 | $11.26 | $11.29 |
Income From Investment Operations: | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)1 | (0.06) | (0.02) | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.06 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts, options and foreign currency transactions | 0.23 | (0.67) | (0.37) | (0.83) | 0.32 |
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS | 0.17 | (0.69) | (0.34) | (0.77) | 0.38 |
Less Distributions: | | | | | |
Distributions from net investment income | — | — | (0.06) | (0.26) | (0.41) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $9.31 | $9.14 | $9.83 | $10.23 | $11.26 |
Total Return2 | 1.86% | (7.02)% | (3.35)% | (7.04)% | 3.49% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets: | | | | | |
Net expenses | 1.75% | 1.74% | 1.74% | 1.74% | 1.74% |
Net investment income (loss) | (0.59)% | (0.17)% | 0.29% | 0.56% | 0.57% |
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 | 1.16% | 0.95% | 0.78% | 0.70% | 0.78% |
Supplemental Data: | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) | $2,209 | $3,356 | $6,642 | $8,887 | $11,647 |
Portfolio turnover | 87% | 90% | 87% | 44% | 67% |
1 | Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. |
3 | This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios shown above. |
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
November 30, 2016
Assets: | | |
Total investment in securities, at value including $2,125,418 of investments in affiliated holdings (Note 5) (identified cost $27,934,914) | | $26,157,459 |
Receivable for investments sold | | 2,175,745 |
Unrealized appreciation on foreign exchange contracts | | 1,692,759 |
Income receivable | | 196,637 |
Receivable for shares sold | | 52,688 |
Due from broker | | 21,750 |
TOTAL ASSETS | | 30,297,038 |
Liabilities: | | |
Unrealized depreciation on foreign exchange contracts | $1,658,565 | |
Payable for shares redeemed | 1,356,675 | |
Bank overdraft | 225 | |
Payable for daily variation margin on futures contracts | 4,018 | |
Due to broker | 21,750 | |
Payable to adviser (Note 5) | 8,652 | |
Payable for other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) | 5,389 | |
Payable for distribution services fee (Note 5) | 1,883 | |
Accrued expenses (Note 5) | 120,180 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | | 3,177,337 |
Net assets for 2,787,225 shares outstanding | | $27,119,701 |
Net Assets Consists of: | | |
Paid-in capital | | $29,484,979 |
Net unrealized depreciation of investments, futures contracts and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currency | | (1,781,742) |
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency transactions | | (1,218,647) |
Undistributed net investment income | | 635,111 |
TOTAL NET ASSETS | | $27,119,701 |
Annual Shareholder Report
Statement of Assets and Liabilities–continued
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share: | | |
Class A Shares: | | |
Net asset value per share ($24,366,484 ÷ 2,492,133 shares outstanding) $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized | | $9.78 |
Offering price per share (100/95.50 of $9.78) | | $10.24 |
Redemption proceeds per share | | $9.78 |
Class B Shares: | | |
Net asset value per share ($544,060 ÷ 57,894 shares outstanding) $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized | | $9.40 |
Offering price per share | | $9.40 |
Redemption proceeds per share (94.50/100 of $9.40) | | $8.88 |
Class C Shares: | | |
Net asset value per share ($2,209,157 ÷ 237,198 shares outstanding) $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized | | $9.31 |
Offering price per share | | $9.31 |
Redemption proceeds per share (99.00/100 of $9.31) | | $9.22 |
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
Statement of Operations
Year Ended November 30, 2016
Investment Income: | | | |
Interest | | | $346,299 |
Dividends (including $32,360 received from affiliated holdings (Note 5)) | | | 34,317 |
TOTAL INCOME | | | 380,616 |
Expenses: | | | |
Investment adviser fee (Note 5) | | $246,463 | |
Administrative fee (Note 5) | | 25,700 | |
Custodian fees | | 23,155 | |
Transfer agent fees | | 49,178 | |
Directors'/Trustees' fees (Note 5) | | 8,698 | |
Auditing fees | | 34,000 | |
Legal fees | | 8,378 | |
Distribution services fee (Note 5) | | 100,793 | |
Other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) | | 80,406 | |
Portfolio accounting fees | | 132,465 | |
Share registration costs | | 54,580 | |
Printing and postage | | 22,394 | |
Taxes | | 2,903 | |
Miscellaneous (Note 5) | | 16,963 | |
TOTAL EXPENSES | | 806,076 | |
Waivers and Reimbursements: | | | |
Waiver/reimbursement of investment adviser fee (Note 5) | $(246,463) | | |
Waivers/reimbursement of other operating expenses (Notes 2 and 5) | (202,182) | | |
TOTAL WAIVERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS | | (448,645) | |
Net expenses | | | 357,431 |
Net investment income | | | 23,185 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions: | | | |
Net realized gain on investments (including net realized loss of $(32,017) on sales of investments in affiliated holdings (Note 5)) and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,023,487 |
Net realized gain on futures contracts | | | 38,336 |
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currency | | | (208,917) |
Net change in unrealized depreciation of futures contracts | | | 3,648 |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency transactions | | | 856,554 |
Change in net assets resulting from operations | | | $879,739 |
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended November 30 | 2016 | 2015 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
Operations: | | |
Net investment income | $23,185 | $224,319 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency transactions | 1,061,823 | (2,993,838) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments, futures contracts and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currency | (205,269) | (594,518) |
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | 879,739 | (3,364,037) |
Share Transactions: | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | 21,358,782 | 12,037,281 |
Cost of shares redeemed | (30,101,899) | (33,194,318) |
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS | (8,743,117) | (21,157,037) |
Change in net assets | (7,863,378) | (24,521,074) |
Net Assets: | | |
Beginning of period | 34,983,079 | 59,504,153 |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $635,111 and $0, respectively) | $27,119,701 | $34,983,079 |
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
Notes to Financial Statements
November 30, 2016
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated International Series, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Corporation consists of one non-diversified portfolio, Federated International Bond Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting, except on class-specific matters. Class B Shares were closed to new accounts/investors on June 1, 2015 and to new purchases/exchanges by existing shareholders on August 1, 2015. The investment objective of the Fund is to obtain a total return on its assets.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■ | Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Directors. |
■ | Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations. |
■ | Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Directors. |
■ | Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs. |
■ | Equity securities listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market. |
■ | For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Directors, certain factors may be considered such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions. |
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, or if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Annual Shareholder Report
Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures
The Directors have ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Directors have appointed a valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”) comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated Investment Management Company (“Adviser”) and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Directors have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Directors. The Directors periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Directors.
The Directors also have adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Adviser determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment's value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value. Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or after the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:
■ | With respect to securities principally traded in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts; |
■ | Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; |
■ | Announcements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, or a natural disaster affecting the issuer's operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer's industry. |
Annual Shareholder Report
The Directors have adopted procedures whereby the Valuation Committee uses a pricing service to determine the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets when the Adviser determines that there has been a significant trend in the U.S. equity markets or in index futures trading. For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the Fund will determine the fair value of the investment in accordance with the fair valuation procedures approved by the Directors. The Directors have ultimate responsibility for any fair valuations made in response to a significant event.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date or when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and certain fund-level expenses are allocated to each class based on relative average daily net assets, except that Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares may bear distribution services fees and other service fees unique to those classes. The detail of the total fund expense waivers and reimbursements of $448,645 is disclosed in various locations in this Note 2 and Note 5.
Annual Shareholder Report
For the year ended November 30, 2016, an unaffiliated third-party waived $10,720 of portfolio accounting fees.
Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses.
Other Service Fees
The Fund may pay fees (“Other Service Fees”) up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares to unaffiliated financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC) for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSSC may voluntarily reimburse the Fund for other service fees. For the year ended November 30, 2016, other service fees for the Fund were as follows:
| Other Service Fees Incurred |
Class A Shares | $71,086 |
Class B Shares | 1,984 |
Class C Shares | 7,336 |
TOTAL | $80,406 |
Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the year ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of November 30, 2016, tax years 2013 through 2016 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America, the state of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Other Taxes
As an open-end management investment company incorporated in the state of Maryland but domiciled in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Fund is subject to the Pennsylvania Franchise Tax. This franchise tax is assessed annually on the value of the Fund, as represented by average net assets for the tax year.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Annual Shareholder Report
Restricted Securities
The Fund may purchase securities which are considered restricted. Restricted securities are securities that either: (a) cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, or being able to take advantage of an exemption from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933; or (b) are subject to contractual restrictions on public sales. In some cases, when a security cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, the issuer of the restricted security has agreed to register such securities for resale, at the issuer's expense, either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many such restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Directors. The Fund will not incur any registration costs upon such resales. The Fund's restricted securities, like other securities, are priced in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Directors.
Futures Contracts
The Fund purchases and sells financial futures contracts to seek to increase return and to manage duration risk. Upon entering into a financial futures contract with a broker, the Fund is required to deposit in a segregated account U.S. government securities or a specified amount of cash which is shown as Restricted cash in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts are valued daily and unrealized gains or losses are recorded in a “variation margin” account. Daily, the Fund receives from or pays to the broker a specified amount of cash based upon changes in the variation margin account. When a contract is closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss. Futures contracts have market risks, including the risk that the change in the value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in the value of the underlying securities. There is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange's clearing house, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures contracts, guarantees the futures contracts against default.
Futures contracts outstanding at the period end are listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
The average notional value of long and short futures contracts held by the Fund throughout the period was $913,827 and $646,431, respectively. This is based on amounts held as of each month-end throughout the fiscal year.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Fund may enter into foreign exchange contracts to increase return and to manage currency risk. Purchased contracts are used to acquire exposure to foreign currencies, whereas, contracts to sell are used to hedge the Fund's securities against currency fluctuations. Risks may arise upon entering into these transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their commitments and from unanticipated movements in security prices or foreign exchange rates. The foreign exchange contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until the settlement date.
Annual Shareholder Report
Foreign exchange contracts are subject to Master Netting Agreements (MNA) which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that provides for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amounts but gross.
Foreign exchange contracts outstanding at period end, including net unrealized appreciation/depreciation or net settlement amounts, are listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
The average value at settlement date payable and receivable of foreign exchange contracts purchased and sold by the Fund throughout the period was $747,627 and $779,718, respectively. This is based on the amounts held as of each month-end throughout the fiscal year.
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (FCs) are translated into U.S. dollars based on the rates of exchange of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange quoted on the respective date that such transactions are recorded. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of FCs, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate.
Option Contracts
The Fund buys or sells put and call options to seek to increase return and to manage currency risk. The seller (writer) of an option receives a payment or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer exercises the option. When the Fund writes a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. The Fund, as a writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the underlying reference instrument. When the Fund purchases a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium paid is recorded as an increase to the cost of the investment and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option purchased. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expire are treated as realized losses. Premiums received/paid for writing/purchasing options which are exercised or closed are added to the proceeds or offset against amounts paid on the underlying reference instrument to determine the realized gain or loss. The risk associated with purchasing put and call options is limited to the premium paid. Options can trade on securities or commodities exchanges. In this case, the exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price. Most exchanges require investors to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to cover their potential obligations to the exchange. This protects investors against potential defaults by the counterparty.
Annual Shareholder Report
At November 30, 2016, the Fund had no outstanding written option contracts.
The average market value of purchased options contracts held by the Fund throughout the period was $8,842. This is based on amounts held as of each month-end throughout the fiscal year.
Additional Disclosure Related to Derivative Instruments
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments |
| Asset | Liability |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Fair Value | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Fair Value |
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815 | | | | |
Foreign exchange contracts | Unrealized appreciation on foreign exchange contracts | $1,692,759 | Unrealized depreciation on foreign exchange contracts | $1,658,565 |
Foreign exchange contracts | Total investments in securities at value-options | 55,064 | | — |
Interest rate contracts | | — | Payable for daily variation margin on futures contracts | 4,018* |
Total derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815 | | $1,747,823 | | $1,662,583 |
* | Includes cumulative depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the footnotes to the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day's variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
Annual Shareholder Report
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the Year Ended November 30, 2016
Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income |
| Futures Contracts | Purchased Options1
| Forward Exchange Contracts1 | Total |
Equity contracts | $29,424 | $— | $— | $29,424 |
Foreign exchange contracts | — | (119,185) | 307,222 | 188,037 |
Interest rate contracts | 8,912 | (5,670) | — | 3,242 |
TOTAL | $38,336 | $(124,855) | $307,222 | $220,703 |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income |
| Futures Contracts | Purchased Options2
| Forward Exchange Contracts2 | Total |
Foreign exchange contracts | $— | $42,994 | $16,511 | $59,505 |
Interest rate contracts | 3,648 | — | — | 3,648 |
TOTAL | $3,648 | $42,994 | $16,511 | $63,153 |
1 | The net realized gain (loss) on Forward Exchange Contracts and Purchased Options is found within the net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions on the Statement of Operations. |
2 | The net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of Forward Exchange Contracts and Purchased Options is found within the Net Change in unrealized depreciation of investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currency on the Statement of Operations. |
Annual Shareholder Report
As indicated above, certain derivative investments are transacted subject to MNA. These agreements permit the Fund to offset with a counterparty certain derivative payables and/or receivables with collateral held and create one single net payment in the event of default or termination of the agreement by either the Fund or the counterparty. As of November 30, 2016, the impact of netting assets and liabilities and the offsetting of collateral pledged or received based on MNA are detailed below:
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
Transaction | Gross Asset Derivatives Presented in Statement of Assets and Liabilities | Financial Instrument | Collateral Received | Net Amount |
Foreign exchange contracts | $1,692,759 | $(1,432,679) | $— | $260,080 |
Transaction | Gross Liability Derivatives Presented in Statement of Assets and Liabilities | Financial Instrument | Collateral Pledged | Net Amount |
Foreign exchange contracts | $1,658,565 | $(1,432,679) | $— | $225,906 |
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimated. The Fund applies Investment Company accounting and reporting guidance.
Annual Shareholder Report
3. CApital stock
The following tables summarize capital stock activity:
Year Ended November 30 | 2016 | 2015 |
Class A Shares: | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
Shares sold | 2,033,395 | $21,123,601 | 1,162,907 | $11,386,911 |
Shares redeemed | (2,767,163) | (28,178,382) | (2,991,162) | (29,110,031) |
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS A SHARE TRANSACTIONS | (733,768) | $(7,054,781) | (1,828,255) | $(17,723,120) |
Year Ended November 30 | 2016 | 2015 |
Class B Shares: | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
Shares sold | — | $— | 5,298 | $49,968 |
Shares redeemed | (39,814) | (402,574) | (60,423) | (573,780) |
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS B SHARE TRANSACTIONS | (39,814) | $(402,574) | (55,125) | $(523,812) |
Year Ended November 30 | 2016 | 2015 |
Class C Shares: | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
Shares sold | 23,629 | $235,181 | 63,222 | $600,402 |
Shares redeemed | (153,581) | (1,520,943) | (371,925) | (3,510,507) |
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS C SHARE TRANSACTIONS | (129,952) | $(1,285,762) | (308,703) | $(2,910,105) |
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM TOTAL FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS | (903,534) | $(8,743,117) | (2,912,083) | $(21,157,037) |
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are due to differing treatments for foreign currency transactions and discount accretion/premium amortization on debt securities.
For the year ended November 30, 2016, permanent differences identified and reclassified among the components of net assets were as follows:
Increase (Decrease) |
Undistributed Net Investment Income (Loss) | Accumulated Net Realized Gain (Loss) |
$611,926 | $(611,926) |
Net investment income (loss), net realized gains (losses) and net assets were not affected by the reclassification.
Annual Shareholder Report
As of November 30, 2016, the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income | $649,626 |
Net unrealized depreciation | $(2,121,496) |
Capital loss carryforwards | $(893,408) |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation/depreciation is attributable to differing treatments for the deferral of losses on wash sales and discount accretion/premium amortization on debt securities.
At November 30, 2016, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $28,245,907. The net unrealized depreciation of investments for federal tax purposes, excluding any unrealized appreciation/depreciation resulting from: (a) the translation from FCs to U.S. dollars of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities; (b) outstanding foreign currency commitments; and (c) futures contracts, was $2,088,448. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $206,822 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $2,295,270.
As of November 30, 2016, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $893,408 which will reduce the Fund's taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code, thereby reducing the amount of distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax. Pursuant to the Code, a net capital loss incurred in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010, is characterized as short-term and may be carried forward for a maximum of eight tax years (“Carryforward Limit”), whereas a net capital loss incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, retains its character as either short-term or long-term, does not expire and is required to be utilized prior to the losses which have a Carryforward Limit.
The following schedule summarizes the Fund's capital loss carryforwards and expiration years:
Expiration Year | Short-Term | Long-Term | Total |
2017 | $724,822 | NA | $724,822 |
2018 | $168,586 | NA | $168,586 |
The Fund used capital loss carryforwards of $517,571 to offset capital gains realized during the year ended November 30, 2016.
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund. For year ended November 30, 2016, the Adviser voluntarily waived $245,463 of its fee and voluntarily reimbursed $120,376 of other operating expenses.
Annual Shareholder Report
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement. The fee paid to FAS is based on the average daily net assets of the Investment Complex as specified below, plus certain out-of-pocket expenses:
Administrative Fee | Average Daily Net Assets of the Investment Complex |
0.150% | on the first $5 billion |
0.125% | on the next $5 billion |
0.100% | on the next $10 billion |
0.075% | on assets in excess of $20 billion |
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FAS may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the year ended November 30, 2016, the annualized fee paid to FAS was 0.078% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses at the following percentages of average daily net assets annually, to compensate FSC:
Share Class Name | Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of Class |
Class A Shares | 0.25% |
Class B Shares | 0.75% |
Class C Shares | 0.75% |
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the year ended November 30, 2016, distribution services fees for the Fund were as follows:
| Distribution Service Fees Incurred | Distribution Services Fees Waived |
Class A Shares | $72,835 | $(71,086) |
Class B Shares | 5,953 | — |
Class C Shares | 22,005 | — |
TOTAL | $100,793 | $(71,086) |
When FSC receives fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase shares. For the year ended November 30, 2016, FSC retained $6,737 of fees paid by the Fund.
Annual Shareholder Report
Sales Charges
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. They are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. For the year ended November 30, 2016, FSC retained $1,102 in sales charges from the sale of Class A Shares. FSC also retained $723 of CDSC relating to redemptions of Class B Shares.
Other Service Fees
For the year ended November 30, 2016, FSSC received $2,616 of the other service fees disclosed in Note 2.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FSC, FAS and FSSC) on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding interest expense, extraordinary expenses, line of credit expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund's Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares (after the voluntary waivers and reimbursements) will not exceed 0.99%, 1.74% and 1.74% (the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) January 1, 2018; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its applicable affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Directors.
General
Certain Officers and Directors of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies. To efficiently facilitate payment, Directors'/Trustees' fees and certain expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses are paid by an affiliate of the Adviser which in due course are reimbursed by the Fund. Such expenses may be included in Accrued and Miscellaneous Expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations, respectively.
Annual Shareholder Report
Transactions Involving Affiliated Holdings
Affiliated holdings are mutual funds which are managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund for certain investment adviser fees as a result of transactions in other affiliated mutual funds. For the year ended November 30, 2016, the Adviser reimbursed $1,000. Transactions with the affiliated holdings during the year ended November 30, 2016, were as follows:
| Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares | Federated Project and Trade Finance Core Fund | Total of Affiliated Transactions |
Balance of Shares Held 11/30/2015 | 1,224,039 | 111,247 | 1,335,286 |
Purchases/Additions | 24,310,685 | 3,066 | 24,313,751 |
Sales/Reductions | (24,000,111) | (50,802) | (24,050,913) |
Balance of Shares Held 11/30/2016 | 1,534,613 | 63,511 | 1,598,124 |
Value | $1,534,766 | $590,652 | $2,125,418 |
Dividend Income | $3,770 | $28,590 | $32,360 |
6. Investment TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the year ended November 30, 2016, were as follows:
Purchases | $26,791,888 |
Sales | $33,686,776 |
7. CONCENTRATION OF RISK
The Fund invests in securities of non-U.S. issuers. Foreign political or economic developments may have an effect on the liquidity and volatility of portfolio securities and currency holdings.
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies that are deemed by the Fund's management to be classified in similar business sectors. Economic developments may have an effect on the liquidity and volatility of the portfolio securities.
8. LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund participates with certain other Federated Funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to finance temporarily the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding. The Fund's ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest, on any day, of (a) (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR), and (iii) 0.0%, plus (b) a margin. The LOC also requires the Fund to pay, quarterly in arrears and at maturity, its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders' commitment that has not been utilized. As of November 30, 2016, the Fund had no outstanding loans. During the year ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.
Annual Shareholder Report
9. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Investors, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of November 30, 2016, there were no outstanding loans. During the year ended November 30, 2016, the program was not utilized.
10. REGULATORY UPDATES
On October 13, 2016, the SEC amended existing rules intended to modernize reporting and disclosure of information. These amendments relate to Regulation S-X which sets forth the form and content of financial statements. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of adopting these amendments and their impact on the financial statements and accompanying notes.
11. Subsequent event
Effective December 16, 2016, the Fund changed its name to Federated Global Total Return Bond Fund and added Institutional Shares.
Annual Shareholder Report
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Federated inTERNATIONAL series, inc. AND SHAREHOLDERS OF federated INTERNATIONAL bond fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Federated International Bond Fund (the “Fund”) (the sole portfolio of Federated International Series, Inc.), including the portfolio of investments, as of November 30, 2016 and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Federated International Bond Fund, the sole portfolio of Federated International Series, Inc., at November 30, 2016, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Boston, Massachusetts
January 25, 2017
Annual Shareholder Report
Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred 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 under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Annual Shareholder Report
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Beginning Account Value 6/1/2016 | Ending Account Value 11/30/2016 | Expenses Paid During Period1 |
Actual: | | | |
Class A Shares | $1,000 | $937.70 | $4.89 |
Class B Shares | $1,000 | $934.40 | $8.51 |
Class C Shares | $1,000 | $933.80 | $8.51 |
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return before expenses): | | | |
Class A Shares | $1,000 | $1,019.95 | $5.10 |
Class B Shares | $1,000 | $1,016.20 | $8.87 |
Class C Shares | $1,000 | $1,016.20 | $8.87 |
1 | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half-year period). The annualized net expense ratios are as follows: |
| |
Class A Shares | 1.01% |
Class B Shares | 1.76% |
Class C Shares | 1.76% |
Annual Shareholder Report
Board of Directors and Corporation Officers
The Board of Directors is responsible for managing the Corporation's business affairs and for exercising all the Corporation's powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The following tables give information about each Director and the senior officers of the Fund. Where required, the tables separately list Directors who are “interested persons” of the Fund (i.e., “Interested” Directors) and those who are not (i.e., “Independent” Directors). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The address of all Independent Directors listed is 4000 Ericsson Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086-7561; Attention: Mutual Fund Board. As of December 31, 2016, the Corporation comprised one portfolio(s), and the Federated Fund Family consisted of 40 investment companies (comprising 124 portfolios). Unless otherwise noted, each Officer is elected annually. Unless otherwise noted, each Director oversees all portfolios in the Federated Fund Family and serves for an indefinite term. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Corporation Directors and is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400.
Interested DIRECTORS Background
Name Birth Date Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s) |
J. Christopher Donahue* Birth Date: April 11, 1949 President and Director Indefinite Term Began serving: January 2000 | Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Director or Trustee of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; Chairman and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; Chairman, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania and Passport Research, Ltd. (investment advisory subsidiary of Federated); Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company. Previous Positions: President, Federated Investment Counseling; President and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd. |
Annual Shareholder Report
Name Birth Date Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s) |
John B. Fisher* Birth Date: May 16, 1956 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: May 2016 | Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Director or Trustee of certain of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc.; President, Director/Trustee and CEO, Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company; President and CEO of Passport Research, Ltd.; President of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex and Director, Federated Investors Trust Company. Previous Positions: President and Director of the Institutional Sales Division of Federated Securities Corp.; President and Director of Federated Investment Counseling; Director, Edgewood Securities Corp.; Director, Federated Services Company; Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman and Director, Southpointe Distribution Services, Inc. and President, Technology, Federated Services Company. |
* | Reasons for “interested” status: J. Christopher Donahue and John B. Fisher are interested due to their beneficial ownership of shares of Federated Investors, Inc. and due to positions they hold with Federated and its subsidiaries. J. Christopher Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman Emeritus of the Federated Funds. |
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS Background
Name Birth Date Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications |
John T. Collins Birth Date: January 24, 1947 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: October 2013 | Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; formerly, Chairman and CEO, The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Director, Current Chair of the Compensation Committee, KLX Corp. Qualifications: Mr. Collins has served in several business and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Collins previously served as Chairman and CEO, The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity firm). Mr. Collins serves as Chairman Emeriti, Bentley University. Mr. Collins previously served as Director and Audit Committee Member, Bank of America Corp.; Director, FleetBoston Financial Corp.; and Director, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard University Affiliate Hospital). |
Annual Shareholder Report
Name Birth Date Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications |
G. Thomas Hough Birth Date: February 28, 1955 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2015 | Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; formerly, Vice Chair, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Director, Member of the Audit Committee and Technology Committee of Equifax, Inc. Qualifications: Mr. Hough has served in accounting, business management and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Hough most recently held the position of Americas Vice Chair of Assurance with Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm). Mr. Hough is an Executive Committee member of the United States Golf Association, he serves on the President's Cabinet and Business School Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama and is on the Business School Board of Visitors for Wake Forest University. |
Maureen Lally-Green Birth Date: July 5, 1949 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2009 | Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; Interim Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law; Adjunct Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Associate General Secretary and Director, Office of Church Relations, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Other Directorships Held: Director, CONSOL Energy Inc. Qualifications: Judge Lally-Green has served in various legal and business roles and directorship positions throughout her career. Judge Lally-Green previously served as: Associate General Secretary, Diocese of Pittsburgh; a member of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania; and as a Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law. Judge Lally-Green also currently holds the positions on either a public or not for profit Board of Directors as follows: Director and Chair, UPMC Mercy Hospital; Regent, St. Vincent Seminary; Director and Vice Chair, Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Inc.; Director, Saint Vincent College; Member, Pennsylvania State Board of Education (public); and Director and Chair, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, Inc. Judge Lally-Green has held the positions of: Director, Auberle; Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania; Director, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh; Director, Saint Thomas More Society; Director, Catholic High Schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc.; and Director, Pennsylvania Bar Institute. |
Peter E. Madden Birth Date: March 16, 1942 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: August 1991 | Principal Occupation: Director or Trustee, and Chair of the Board of Directors or Trustees, of the Federated Fund Family; Retired. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Madden has served in several business management, mutual fund services and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Madden previously served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Director, State Street Bank and Trust Company (custodian bank) and State Street Corporation (financial services). He was Director, VISA USA and VISA International and Chairman and Director, Massachusetts Bankers Association. Mr. Madden served as Director, Depository Trust Corporation and Director, The Boston Stock Exchange. Mr. Madden also served as a Representative to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Court. |
Annual Shareholder Report
Name Birth Date Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications |
Charles F. Mansfield, Jr. Birth Date: April 10, 1945 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: January 1999 | Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; Management Consultant. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Mansfield has served as a Marine Corps officer and in several banking, business management, educational roles and directorship positions throughout his long career. He remains active as a Management Consultant. |
Thomas M. O'Neill Birth Date: June 14, 1951 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2006 | Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee, Chair of the Audit Committee of the Federated Fund Family; Sole Proprietor, Navigator Management Company (investment and strategic consulting). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. O'Neill has served in several business, mutual fund and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. O'Neill serves as Director, Medicines for Humanity and Director, The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples, Florida. Mr. O'Neill previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fleet Investment Advisors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeltus Investment Management, Inc.; General Partner, Hellman, Jordan Management Co., Boston, MA; Chief Investment Officer, The Putnam Companies, Boston, MA; Credit Analyst and Lending Officer, Fleet Bank; Director and Consultant, EZE Castle Software (investment order management software); and Director, Midway Pacific (lumber). |
P. Jerome Richey Birth Date: February 23, 1949 Director Indefinite Term Began serving: October 2013 | Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; Management Consultant; formerly, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh and Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CONSOL Energy Inc. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Richey has served in several business and legal management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Richey most recently held the positions of Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chairman of the Board, Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Board, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, CONSOL Energy Inc.; and Board Member, Ethics Counsel and Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (a law firm). |
Annual Shareholder Report
Name Birth Date Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications |
John S. Walsh Birth Date: November 28, 1957 Director
Indefinite Term Began serving: January 1999 | Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Walsh has served in several business management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Walsh previously served as Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc. (paving contractors). |
OFFICERS
Name Birth Date Address Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years and Previous Position(s) |
John W. McGonigle Birth Date: October 26, 1938 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY Officer since: March 1984 | Principal Occupations: Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Federated Fund Family; Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Federated Investors, Inc. Previous Positions: Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company and Federated Investment Counseling; Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Services Company and Federated Securities Corp. |
Lori A. Hensler Birth Date: January 6, 1967 TREASURER Officer since: April 2013 | Principal Occupations: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Federated Fund Family; Senior Vice President, Federated Administrative Services; Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp. and Edgewood Services, Inc.; and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company. Ms. Hensler has received the Certified Public Accountant designation. Previous Positions: Controller of Federated Investors, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors Management Company; Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company; Assistant Treasurer, Federated Administrative Services, Federated Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood Services, Inc., Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company, Passport Research, Ltd., and Federated MDTA, LLC; Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood Services, Inc. and Southpointe Distribution Services, Inc. |
Annual Shareholder Report
Name Birth Date Address Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years and Previous Position(s) |
Peter J. Germain Birth Date: September 3, 1959 CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER Officer since: January 2005 | Principal Occupations: Mr. Germain is Chief Legal Officer of the Federated Fund Family. He is General Counsel and Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc.; President, Federated Administrative Services and Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; Secretary, Federated Private Asset Management, Inc.; and Secretary, Retirement Plan Service Company of America. Mr. Germain joined Federated in 1984 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Previous Positions: Deputy General Counsel, Special Counsel, Managing Director of Mutual Fund Services, Federated Investors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Federated Services Company; and Senior Corporate Counsel, Federated Investors, Inc. |
Richard B. Fisher Birth Date: May 17, 1923 VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: March 1984 | Principal Occupations: Vice Chairman or Vice President of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Vice Chairman, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman, Federated Securities Corp. Previous Positions: President and Director or Trustee of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Executive Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc.; Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Securities Corp. |
Stephen Van Meter Birth Date: June 5, 1975 CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: July 2015 | Principal Occupations: Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Federated Fund Family; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Federated Investors, Inc. and Chief Compliance Officer of certain of its subsidiaries. Mr. Van Meter joined Federated in October 2011. He holds FINRA licenses under Series 3, 7, 24 and 66. Previous Positions: Mr. Van Meter previously held the position of Compliance Operating Officer, Federated Investors, Inc. Prior to joining Federated, Mr. Van Meter served at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in the positions of Senior Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Division of Investment Management and Senior Counsel, Division of Enforcement. |
Stephen F. Auth Birth Date: September 13, 1956 101 Park Avenue 41st Floor New York, NY 10178 CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER Officer since: January 2003 | Principal Occupations: Stephen F. Auth is Chief Investment Officer of various Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania. Previous Positions: Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd. (investment advisory subsidiary of Federated); Senior Vice President, Global Portfolio Management Services Division; Senior Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd.; Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Prudential Investments. |
Annual Shareholder Report
Name Birth Date Address Positions Held with Corporation Date Service Began | Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years and Previous Position(s) |
Robert J. Ostrowski Birth Date: April 26, 1963 Chief Investment Officer Officer since: May 2004 | Principal Occupations: Robert J. Ostrowski joined Federated in 1987 as an Investment Analyst and became a Portfolio Manager in 1990. He was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated's taxable fixed-income products in 2004 and also serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ostrowski became an Executive Vice President of the Fund's Adviser in 2009 and served as a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser from 1997 to 2009. Mr. Ostrowski has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University. |
Annual Shareholder Report
Evaluation and Approval of Advisory Contract–May 2016
Federated International Bond Fund (the “Fund”)
Following a review and recommendation of approval by the Fund's independent directors, the Fund's Board of Directors (the “Board”) reviewed and unanimously approved at its May 2016 meetings the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory contract for an additional one-year term. The Board's decision regarding the contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment after consideration of all of the information received on whether to continue the existing arrangements.
The Board had previously appointed a Senior Officer, whose duties include specified responsibilities relating to the process by which advisory fees are to be charged to a Federated fund. The Senior Officer has the authority to retain consultants, experts, or staff as may be reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and may be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the independent members of the Board. The Senior Officer prepared and furnished to the Board an independent, written evaluation that covered topics discussed below (the “Senior Officer's Evaluation”). The Board considered the Senior Officer's Evaluation, along with other information, in deciding to approve the investment advisory contract.
The Board is also familiar with and considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees, which have indicated that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: the nature and quality of the services provided by an adviser to a fund and its shareholders, including the performance and fees and expenses of the fund and of comparable funds; an adviser's cost of providing the services, including the profitability to an adviser of providing advisory services to a fund; the extent to which an adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; any “fall-out financial benefits” that accrue to an adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of an adviser for services rendered to a fund); comparative fee and expense structures, including a comparison of fees paid to an adviser with those paid by similar funds; and the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which board members perform their duties and their expertise, including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of an adviser's services and fees. The Board noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) disclosure requirements regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's investment advisory contract generally track the factors listed above. Consistent with these judicial decisions and SEC disclosure requirements, the Board also considered management fees charged to
Annual Shareholder Report
institutional and other clients of Federated Investment Management Company (the “Adviser”) for what might be viewed as like services. The Board was aware of these factors and was guided by them in its review of the Fund's investment advisory contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated Investors, Inc. and its affiliates (“Federated”) on matters relating to the Federated funds, and was assisted in its deliberations by independent legal counsel. Throughout the year, and in connection with its May meetings, the Board requested and received substantial and detailed information about the Fund and the Federated organization that was in addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the Senior Officer's Evaluation. Federated provided much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnished additional substantial information in connection with the May meetings at which the Board's formal review of the investment advisory contract occurred. At the May meetings in addition to meeting in separate sessions of the independent directors without management present, senior management of the Adviser also met with the independent directors and their counsel to discuss the materials presented and any other matters thought relevant by the Adviser or the directors. Between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also received information on particular matters as the need arose. Thus, the Board's consideration of the investment advisory contract included review of the Senior Officer's Evaluation, accompanying data and additional information covering such matters as: the Adviser's investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund's short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms, both on a gross basis and net of expenses, as well as in relationship to its particular investment program and certain competitor or “peer group” funds and/or other benchmarks, as appropriate), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's investment objectives; the Fund's expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial risk assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring the Fund; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the mutual fund industry; the Fund's relationship to the Federated funds which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies which are generally available for exchange without the incurrence of additional sales charges; compliance and
Annual Shareholder Report
audit reports concerning the Federated funds and the Federated companies that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated's responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Federated funds and/or Federated are responding to them. The Board's evaluation process is evolutionary. The criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria change in recognition of changing circumstances in the mutual fund marketplace.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving such comparisons too much weight, the Board has found the use of comparisons of the Fund's fees and expenses to other mutual funds with comparable investment programs to be relevant to its deliberations. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual advisory fee rates, net advisory fee rates, total expense ratios and each element of the Fund's total expense ratio (i.e., gross and net advisory fees, custody fees, portfolio accounting fees and transfer agency fees) relative to the Fund's peers. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar mutual funds more heavily than non-mutual fund products or services because it is believed that they are more relevant. For example, other mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles, and they are the type of investment vehicle in fact chosen and maintained by the Fund's investors. The range of their fees and expenses therefore appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the precise marketplace in which the Fund competes.
It was noted in the materials for the Board meeting that for the period covered by the Senior Officer's Evaluation, the Fund's investment advisory fee was waived in its entirety. The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate, net advisory fee rate and other expenses of the Fund with the Adviser and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its peers. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was above the median of the relevant peer group, but the Board noted that the investment advisory fee was waived in its entirety, and that the overall expense structure of the Fund remained competitive in the context of other factors considered by the Board.
By contrast, the Senior Officer has reviewed Federated's fees for providing advisory services to products outside the Federated funds (e.g., institutional and separate accounts and sub-adviser services). He concluded that mutual funds and institutional accounts are inherently different products. Those differences include, but are not limited to, different types of targeted investors; being subject to different laws and regulations; different legal structures; different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; and the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams, funds financial services, legal, compliance and risk management in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative
Annual Shareholder Report
responsibilities, addressing different degrees of risk associated with management and a variety of different costs. The Senior Officer did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to these outside products to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of mutual fund advisory fees.
Following such evaluation, the Board concluded, within the context of its full deliberations, that the expenses of the Fund are reasonable and supported renewal of the investment advisory contract with respect to the Fund.
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the Adviser's personnel, experience, track record, overall reputation and willingness to invest in personnel and infrastructure that benefit the Fund. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The Board noted the compliance programs of and the compliance-related resources provided to the Fund by the Adviser. The Fund's ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its peer group was also deemed to be relevant by the Board as a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program, which in turn was one of the Board's considerations in reaching a conclusion that the nature, extent, and quality of the Adviser's investment management services were such as to warrant continuation of the investment advisory contract.
In evaluating the Fund's investment performance, the Board considered performance results in light of the Fund's investment objective, strategies and risks, as disclosed in the Fund's prospectus. The Board particularly considered detailed investment reports on the Fund's performance provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May meetings. The Senior Officer also reviewed information compiled by Federated, using data supplied by independent fund ranking organizations, regarding the performance of, and fees charged by, other mutual funds, noting his view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in judging the reasonableness of the proposed fees. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases individual funds may exhibit significant and unique differences in their objectives and management techniques when compared to other funds within an industry peer group.
For the periods covered by the Senior Officer's Evaluation, the Fund's performance for the one-year period was above the median of the relevant peer group, and the Fund's performance fell below the median of the relevant peer group for the three-year and five-year periods. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Adviser and recognized the efforts being taken by the Adviser in the context of the other factors considered relevant by the Board.
Following such evaluation, the Board concluded, within the context of its full deliberations, that the performance of the Fund supported renewal of the investment advisory contract with respect to the Fund.
Annual Shareholder Report
The Board also received financial information about Federated, including information regarding the compensation and ancillary (or “fall-out”) benefits Federated derived from its relationships with the Federated funds. This information covered not only the fees under the investment advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated funds' administrator). The information also detailed any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated fund trades. In addition, the Board considered the fact that, in order for a fund to be competitive in the marketplace, Federated and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to fund investors and/or indicated to the Board their intention to do so in the future, where appropriate. Moreover, the Board receives regular reporting as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers. The Board considered Federated's previous reductions in contractual management fees to certain funds in response to the Senior Officer's recommendations.
Federated furnished information, requested by the Senior Officer, that reported revenues on a fund-by-fund basis and made estimates of the allocation of expenses on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the Senior Officer. The Senior Officer noted that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs continues to cause the Senior Officer to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable, since a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a fund and may produce unintended consequences. The allocation information, including the Senior Officer's view that fund-by-fund estimations may be unreliable, was considered in the analysis by the Board.
The Board and the Senior Officer also reviewed information compiled by Federated comparing profitability information for Federated to other publicly held fund management companies. In this regard, the Senior Officer concluded that Federated's profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The Senior Officer also noted that Federated appeared financially sound, with the resources to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Fund.
The Senior Officer's Evaluation also discussed the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger. The Board considered in this regard that the Adviser has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management, shareholder services, compliance, internal audit, and risk management functions, as well as systems technology (including technology relating to cybersecurity), and that the benefits of these efforts (as well as any economies of scale, should they exist) were likely to be enjoyed by the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Adviser's investments in these areas are extensive. In addition, the Board considered that Federated and its affiliates have frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and that this has
Annual Shareholder Report
allowed fund shareholders to share potential economies of scale from a fund's inception. Federated, as it does throughout the year, and again in connection with the Board's review, furnished information relative to revenue sharing or adviser paid fees. Federated and the Senior Officer noted that this information should be viewed to determine if there was an incentive to either not apply breakpoints or to apply breakpoints at higher levels and should not be viewed to determine the appropriateness of advisory fees, because it would represent marketing and distribution expenses. Finally, the Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which (as discussed in the Senior Officer's Evaluation) is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund advisory fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fee as a fund attains a certain size.
The Senior Officer noted that, subject to the comments and recommendations made within the Senior Officer's Evaluation, his observations and the information accompanying the Senior Officer's Evaluation supported a finding by the Board that the management fee for the fund was reasonable. Under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to, the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory contract.
In its decision to continue an existing investment advisory contract, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an investment advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board's approval of the investment advisory contract reflected the fact that it is the shareholders who have effectively selected the Adviser by virtue of having invested in the Fund. The Board concluded that, in light of the factors discussed above, including the nature, quality and scope of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates, continuation of the investment advisory contract was appropriate.
The Board based its decision to approve the investment advisory contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were relevant, the Board's decision to approve the continuation of the contract reflects its determination that Federated's performance and actions provided a satisfactory basis to support the decision to continue the existing arrangement.
Annual Shareholder Report
Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Fund files with the SEC a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings, as of the close of the first and third quarters of its fiscal year, on “Form N-Q.” These filings are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. (Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.) You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation.
Annual Shareholder Report
Mutual funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in mutual funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
Federated International Bond Fund
Federated Investors Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31420G408
CUSIP 31420G507
CUSIP 31420G606
3010401 (1/17)
Federated is a registered trademark of Federated Investors, Inc.
2017 ©Federated Investors, Inc.
Item 2. Code of Ethics
(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the "Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers") that applies to the registrant's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; the registrant's Principal Financial Officer also serves as the Principal Accounting Officer.
(c) There was no amendment to the registrant’s code of ethics described in Item 2(a) above during the period covered by the report.
(d) There was no waiver granted, either actual or implicit, from a provision to the registrant’s code of ethics described in Item 2(a) above during the period covered by the report.
(e) Not Applicable
(f)(3) The registrant hereby undertakes to provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics. To request a copy of the code of ethics, contact the registrant at 1-800-341-7400, and ask for a copy of the Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The registrant's Board has determined that each of the following members of the Board's Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert,” and is "independent," for purposes of this Item: John T. Collins, G. Thomas Hough and Thomas M. O'Neill.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
(a) Audit Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2016 - $34,000
Fiscal year ended 2015 - $32,700
(b) Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2016 - $0
Fiscal year ended 2015 - $43
Fiscal year ended 2015- Travel to Audit Committee Meeting.
Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $84 respectively. Fiscal year ended 2015- Travel expenses for attendance at Audit Committee meeting.
(c) Tax Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2016 - $0
Fiscal year ended 2015 - $0
Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.
(d) All Other Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2016 - $0
Fiscal year ended 2015 - $0
Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $30,911 and $30,174 respectively. Fiscal year ended 2016- Service fee for analysis of potential Passive Foreign Investment Company holdings. Fiscal year ended 2015- Service fee for analysis of potential Passive Foreign Investment Company holdings.
(e)(1) Audit Committee Policies regarding Pre-approval of Services.
The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services do not impair the auditor’s independence. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
Certain services have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of the general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. The Audit Committee will annually review the services that may be provided by the independent auditor without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee and may grant general pre-approval for such services. The Audit Committee will revise the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. The Audit Committee will not delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management.
The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman. The Chairman will report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will designate another member with such pre-approval authority when the Chairman is unavailable.
AUDIT SERVICES
The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees will be subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee must approve any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, registered investment company (RIC) structure or other matters.
In addition to the annual Audit services engagement specifically approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for other Audit Services, which are those services that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide. The Audit Committee has pre-approved certain Audit services, all other Audit services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor, and has pre-approved certain Audit-related services, all other Audit-related services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
TAX SERVICES
The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide Tax services to the Company such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence. However, the Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee has pre-approved certain Tax services, all Tax services involving large and complex transactions must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
ALL OTHER SERVICES
With respect to the provision of services other than audit, review or attest services the pre-approval requirement is waived if:
| (1) | The aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid by the registrant, the registrant’s adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant to its accountant during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; |
| (2) | Such services were not recognized by the registrant, the registrant’s adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and |
| (3) | Such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee of the issuer and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Audit Committee or by one or more members of the Audit Committee who are members of the board of directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit Committee. |
The Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, and would not impair the independence of the auditor.
The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of prohibited non-audit services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions.
PRE-APPROVAL FEE LEVELS
Pre-approval fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
PROCEDURES
Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditor and the Principal Accounting Officer and/or Internal Auditor, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
(e)(2) Percentage of services identified in items 4(b) through 4(d) that were approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X:
4(b)
Fiscal year ended 2016 – 0%
Fiscal year ended 2015 - 0%
Percentage of services provided to the registrants investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.
4(c)
Fiscal year ended 2016 – 0%
Fiscal year ended 2015 – 0%
Percentage of services provided to the registrants investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.
4(d)
Fiscal year ended 2016 – 0%
Fiscal year ended 2015 – 0%
Percentage of services provided to the registrants investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.
| (g) | Non-Audit Fees billed to the registrant, the registrant’s investment adviser, and certain entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser: |
Fiscal year ended 2016 - $219,080
Fiscal year ended 2015 - $49,093
| (h) | The registrant’s Audit Committee has considered that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence. |
In its required communications to the Audit Committee of the registrant’s Board, Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), the registrant’s independent public accountant, informed the Audit Committee that EY and/ or covered person professionals within EY maintain lending relationships with certain owners of greater than 10% of the shares of the registrant and/or certain investment companies within the “investment company complex” as defined under Rule 2-01(f)(14) of Regulation S-X, which are affiliates of the registrant. EY has advised the Audit Committee that these lending relationships implicate Rule 2-01(c)(1)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-X (referred to as the “Loan Rule”). The Loan Rule prohibits an independent public accountant, or covered person professionals at such firm, from having a financial relationship (such as a loan) with a lender that is a record or beneficial owner of more than 10% of an audit client’s equity securities. For purposes of the Loan Rule, audit clients include the registrant, as well as all registered investment companies advised by advisory subsidiaries of Federated Investors, Inc., the Adviser (for which EY serves as independent public accountant), and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Federated Fund Complex”).
EY informed the Audit Committee that EY believes that these lending relationships described above do not and will not impair EY’s ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment in connection with the audits of the financial statements for the registrant and a reasonable investor with knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances would conclude that EY has been and is capable of objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed within EY’s audits.
On June 20, 2016, the Division of Investment Management of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a no-action letter to another mutual fund complex (see Fidelity Management & Research Company et al., No-Action Letter) related to similar Loan Rule matters as those described above. In that letter, the SEC Staff confirmed that it would not recommend enforcement action against an investment company that relied on the audit services performed by an independent public accountant where the Loan Rule was implicated in certain specified circumstances. In that letter, the SEC staff indicated that it would not recommend enforcement action against the investment company complex if the Loan Rule is implicated provided that: (1) the auditor has complied with PCAOB Rule 3526(b)(1) and 3526(b)(2); (2) the Loan Rule is implicated because of lending relationships; and (3) notwithstanding such lending relationships that implicate the Loan Rule, the auditor has concluded that it is objective and impartial with respect to the issues encompassed within its engagement as auditor of the funds. The circumstances described in the no-action letter are substantially similar to the circumstances that implicated the Loan Rule with respect to EY and the registrant. The relief provided in the SEC no-action letter is effective for 18 months from its June 20, 2016 issuance date.
If it were to be determined that the relief available under the no-action letter was improperly relied upon, or that the independence requirements under the federal securities laws were not otherwise complied with regarding the registrant, for certain periods, any of the registrant’s filings with the SEC which contain financial statements of the registrant for such periods may not comply with applicable federal securities laws, the registrant’s ability to offer shares under its current registration statement may be impacted, and certain financial reporting and/or other covenants with, and representations and warranties to, the registrant’s lender under its committed line of credit may be impacted. Such events could have a material adverse effect on the registrant and the Federated Fund Complex.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not Applicable
Item 6. Schedule of Investments
(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form.
(b) Not Applicable; Fund had no divestments during the reporting period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not Applicable
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not Applicable
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers
Not Applicable
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No Changes to Report
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a) The registrant’s President and Treasurer have concluded that the
registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Act) are effective in design and operation and are sufficient to form the basis of the certifications required by Rule 30a-(2) under the Act, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits
(a)(1) Code of Ethics- Not Applicable to this Report.
(a)(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.
(a)(3) Not Applicable.
(b) Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Registrant Federated International Series, Inc.
By /S/ Lori A. Hensler
Lori A. Hensler, Principal Financial Officer
Date January 25, 2017
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By /S/ J. Christopher Donahue
J. Christopher Donahue, Principal Executive Officer
Date January 25, 2017
By /S/ Lori A. Hensler
Lori A. Hensler, Principal Financial Officer
Date January 25, 2017