1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Distributions received from investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) are recorded as dividend income on the ex-dividend date, which are estimated, subject to reclassification upon notice of the character of such distributions by the issuer. The Series declares and pays dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, at least annually. The Series may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Series receives earnings credits from its transfer agent when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset transfer agent fees. If the amount earned is greater than $1, the expenses paid under this arrangement are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses” with the corresponding expenses offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.”
2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates
In accordance with the terms of its investment management agreement, the Series pays DMC, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly at the rates of 0.65% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets of the Series, 0.60% on the next $500 million, 0.55% on the next $1.5 billion, and 0.50% on average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion.
DMC has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its investment advisory fees and/or pay/reimburse expenses (excluding any
12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations), in order to prevent total annual series operating expenses from exceeding 0.72% of the Series’ average daily net assets for the Standard Class from January 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025. These waivers and reimbursements may only be terminated by agreement of DMC and the Series. The waivers and reimbursements are accrued daily and received monthly.
DMC entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement on behalf of the Series with Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited, which is an affiliate of DMC (Affiliated Sub-Advisor). Pursuant to the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the investment sub-advisory fee is paid by DMC to the Affiliated Sub-Advisor based on the extent to which the Affiliated Sub-Advisor provides services to the Series.
Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administrative oversight services to the Series. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.0050% of the first $60 billion; 0.00475% of the next $30 billion; and 0.0015% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $90 billion (Total Fee). Each fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee. Each fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative NAV basis. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Series paid $15,617 for these services.
DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Series. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.0075% of the Series’ average daily net assets. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Series paid $22,906 for these services. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYIS), BNYIS provides certain sub-transfer agency services to the Series. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by the Series and are also included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” The fees are calculated daily and paid as invoices on a monthly or quarterly basis.
As provided in the investment management agreement, the Series bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal and regulatory reporting services to the Series. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Series paid $6,489 for internal legal and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Legal fees.”
Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by the Series for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC and DIFSC are officers and/or Trustees of the Trust. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Series.
