UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM N-CSRS
Investment Company Act file number: 811-05970
Cash Account Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
875 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022-6225
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 454-4500
Diane Kenneally
100 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Date of fiscal year end: | 4/30 |
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Date of reporting period: | 10/31/2022 |
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS |
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| (a) |
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This N-CSR filing contains the annual reports relating to the classes of the following series of the registrant:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — Service Shares
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio — DWS Government & Agency Money Fund
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio — DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares and Government Cash Managed Shares
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares and Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — Tax-Free Investment Class
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S
October 31, 2022
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
Cash Account Trust
Service Shares
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
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| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
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| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
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| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
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| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
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| Notes to Financial Statements |
| Information About Each Fund’s Expenses |
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| Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation |
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, visit dws.com. We advise you to consider a fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about each fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
You could lose money by investing in the Funds. Although the Funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, each Fund cannot guarantee it will do so. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. The DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Funds is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Funds’ sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain a fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on a fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in one class of shares in a fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share prices of all classes of shares within that fund. Please read the prospectus for specific details regarding each Fund’s risk profile.
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
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Government & Agency Obligations | | |
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Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Gov’t & Agency Retail* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Gov’t & Agency Retail — Category includes the most broadly based of the government retail funds. These funds may invest in U.S. Treasury securities, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 5. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
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Government & Agency Obligations 38.9% |
U.S. Government Sponsored Agencies 27.0% |
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SOFR + 0.01%, 3.06% (a), 11/4/2022 | | | |
SOFR + 0.01%, 3.06% (a), 12/29/2022 | | | |
SOFR + 0.03%, 3.08% (a), 1/13/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.04%, 3.09% (a), 1/26/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.04%, 3.09% (a), 2/10/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.06%, 3.1% (a), 5/1/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.055%, 3.105% (a), 3/9/2023 | | | |
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U.S. Treasury Obligations 11.9% |
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U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes: | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield - 0.015%, 4.097% (a), 1/31/2024 | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield + 0.029%, 4.141% (a), 7/31/2023 | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield + 0.034%, 4.146% (a), 4/30/2023 | | | |
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Total Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $518,545,341) | |
Repurchase Agreements 67.7% |
Barclays Bank PLC, 3.05%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $5,000,424 on 11/1/2022 (c) | | | |
BNP Paribas, 3.0%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $188,415,700 on 11/1/2022 (d) | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., 3.02%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $161,413,540 on 11/1/2022 (e) | | | |
Fixed Income Clearing Corp., 3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $150,012,542 on 11/1/2022 (f) | | | |
HSBC Securities, Inc., 3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $128,310,727 on 11/1/2022 (g) | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
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JPMorgan Securities, Inc.: | | | |
3.05%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $180,015,250 on 11/1/2022 (h) | | | |
3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $17,621,473 on 11/1/2022 (i) | | | |
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3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $30,002,508 on 11/1/2022 (j) | | | |
3.06%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $40,803,468 on 11/1/2022 (k) | | | |
Total Repurchase Agreements (Cost $901,520,000) | |
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Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $1,420,065,341) | | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | | |
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| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
| Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate. |
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| U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bonds | | | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
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| Federal National Mortgage Association | | | |
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| U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bonds | | | |
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| Federal National Mortgage Association | | | |
SOFR: Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
STRIPS: Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal Securities |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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Investments in Securities (a) | | | | |
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| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
Repurchase agreements, valued at amortized cost | |
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Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
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Payable for investments purchased | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
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Other accrued expenses and payables | |
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Distributable earnings (loss) | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($250,572,646 ÷ 250,660,937 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($1,051,360,723 ÷ 1,051,733,263 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($22,634,622 ÷ 22,642,641 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
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Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($7,426,046 ÷ 7,428,676 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
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Distribution and service fees | |
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Trustees' fees and expenses | |
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Total expenses before expense reductions | |
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Total expenses after expense reductions | |
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Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
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Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
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Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Financial Highlights
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio — Service Shares |
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Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
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Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
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Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
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Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
Variable Rate Demand Notes | | |
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper | | |
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares | | |
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Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Tax-Free National Retail* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Tax-Free National Retail — Category includes retail funds that invest in obligations of tax-exempt entities, including state and municipal authorities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 15. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
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Municipal Investments 99.5% | |
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California, East Bay Muncipal Utility District: | | | |
Series A-2, TECP, 2.55%, 12/6/2022 | | | |
Series A-1, TECP, 2.68%, 12/7/2022 | | | |
California, General Obligation: | | | |
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California, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Series 1-1362, 144A, AMT, 2.33% (a), 6/1/2041, LIQ: Societe Generale | | | |
California, Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund, 144A, AMT, 2.34% (a), 10/1/2031, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
San Bernardino County, CA, Flood Control District Judgment Obligation, 1.95% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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Connecticut, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XG0204, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
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Delaware, State Economic Development Authority Revenue, YMCA State Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
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Alachua County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Santa Fe Apartments II Project, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, The Nemours Foundation, Series C-2, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Palm Beach County, FL, Henry Morrison Flagler Project Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
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Pinellas County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Suncoast Hospice Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Pinellas County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Booker Creek Apartments, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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Georgia, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XF0709, 144A, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Valdosta-Lowndes County, GA, Industrial Development Authority, Martins Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., Series A, AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
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Brookfield, IL, Zoo Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, OSF Healthcare System, Series C, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, The Carle Foundation, Series C, 2.19% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American College Surgeons, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American Youth Hostels Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, Ignatius College Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, YMCA Metropolitan Chicago Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, The Adler Planetarium, 2.41% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority, Columbia College Chicago, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Clearbrook Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
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Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Housing Development Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Woodlawn Apartments, Series A, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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Elkhart County, IN, Multi-Family Revenue, Ashton Pines Apartments, Series A, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Federal Home Loan Bank | | | |
St. Joseph County, IN, Economic Development Revenue, Series 2004, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
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Iowa, Finance Authority, Educational Facility Revenue, Holy Family Catholic School Project, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Iowa, Single-Family Finance Authority, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Midwestern Disaster Area, Series A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority Revenue, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority, Private College, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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Kansas, State Development Finance Authority, Health Facilities, University of Kansas Health System, Series J, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Olathe, KS, Industrial Revenue, Multi Modal Diamant Boart, Series A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Svenska Handelsbanken | | | |
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Boone County, KY, Pollution Control Revenue, Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc., 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
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Louisiana, Public Facilities Authority Revenue, Christus Health, Series B-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Louisiana, State Housing Finance Agency Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Reserve Jefferson Crossing, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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Maryland, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Gaudenzia Foundation, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
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Massachusetts, State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Highway Systems Revenue, Series A-2, 2.37% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Development Finance Agency, College of the Holy Cross, Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Series J-2, 2.12% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Massachusetts, State Water Resources Authority: | | | |
Series A-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Series A-3, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2203, 144A, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Toronto-Dominion Bank | | | |
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Mississippi, State Business Finance Commission, Gulf Opportunity Zone, Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Series F, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, GTY: Chevron Corp. | | | |
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Kansas City, MO, Special Obligation, H. Roe Bartle Convention Center, Series E, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Missouri, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, St Louis University: | | | |
Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series B-1, 1.69% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
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Missouri, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2198, 144A, 2.32% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Citibank NA | | | |
Nodaway County, MO, Industrial Development Authority, Educational Facilities Revenue, North West Foundation, Inc., 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Wright City, MO, Industrial Revenue, WaterLow Process Systems, Inc., AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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Washington County, NE, Industrial Development Revenue, Cargill, Inc., Series B, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
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Clark County, NV, Airport Systems Revenue, Series D-3, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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New Jersey, State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, AHS Hospital Corp., Series C, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
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New Mexico, State Mortgage Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Villas de San Ignacio LP, Series A, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series E-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 2.21% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Royal Charter Properties, Series A, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
New York, State Energy Research & Development Authority Facilities Revenue, Consolidated Edison Co., Inc. Project, Series A-3, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
New York, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series B-4C, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
New York, NY, General Obligation: | | | |
Series A-3, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
Series L-4, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series D, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
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New York, NY, Health & Hospital Corp., Health System Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue: | | | |
Series DD-3B, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series EE-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series F-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Citibank NA | | | |
Series F1B, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
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Cuyahoga County, OH, Health Care Facilities Revenue, AM McGregor Home Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Franklin County, OH, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Health Corp., Series D, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
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Oklahoma, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XM0708, 144A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
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Oregon, State Facilities Authority Revenue, Peacehealth Systems: | | | |
Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
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Lancaster County, PA, Industrial Development Authority, Willow Valley Retirement, Series C, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Lebanon County, PA, Health Facility Authority Revenue, ECC Retirement Village Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority Revenue, Hawley Silk Mill LLC, Recovery Zone Facility, Series A1, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
| | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Kingsley Association Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Philadelphia, PA, General Obligation, Series B, 2.18% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| | | |
| |
Rhode Island, State Health & Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility Revenue, Bryant University, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Carolina, State Jobs Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Prisma Healthcare Obligated Group, Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Dakota, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Sioux Vy Hospital & Health Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Greeneville, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Revenue, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater Systems Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Harris County, TX, General Obligation, Series B, TECP, 2.6%, 11/16/2022 | | | |
Harris County, TX, Hospital District Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Christus Health Obligated Group: | | | |
Series C-2, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Series C-1, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Project, Series A, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
| | |
| |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Fletcher Allen Health care, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Landmark College Project, Series A, 1.72% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Loudoun County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Industrial Development Revenue, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Lynchburg, VA, Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Centra Health Obligated Group, Series B, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Truist Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, Combridge Apartments, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, The Evergreen School, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multi-Family Variable Rate Certificates: | | | |
“A” , Series M027, 144A, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M031, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M-055, 144A, MUNIPSA + 0.210%, 2.45% (b), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| | | |
Total Municipal Investments (Cost $145,864,000) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
| | | |
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $145,864,000) | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | |
| | |
| Variable rate demand notes and variable rate demand preferred shares are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically (usually daily mode or weekly mode) by remarketing agents based on current market levels, and are not directly set as a fixed spread to a reference rate. These securities may be redeemed at par by the holder through a put or tender feature, and are shown at their current rates as of October 31, 2022. Date shown reflects the earlier of demand date or stated maturity date. |
| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. |
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax. |
|
|
|
MUNIPSA: SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield |
SIFMA: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association |
SPA: Standby Bond Purchase Agreement |
TECP: Tax Exempt Commercial Paper |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
| | | | |
Municipal Investments (a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
| |
Receivable for investments sold | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
| |
| |
Other accrued expenses and payables | |
| |
| |
| |
Distributable earnings (loss) | |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,599,411 ÷ 5,591,276 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($81,810,488 ÷ 81,691,833 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($37,533,293 ÷ 37,478,806 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
| |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,955,346 ÷ 5,946,696 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($9,346,402 ÷ 9,332,812 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($6,374,623 ÷ 6,365,367 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Distribution and service fees | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Trustees' fees and expenses | |
| |
Total expenses before expense reductions | |
| |
Total expenses after expense reductions | |
| |
Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
| | |
Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Financial Highlights
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — Service Shares |
| | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Account Trust (the “Trust” ) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust offers two funds: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds” ). These financial statements report on DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio.
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio offers four classes of shares: DWS Government & Agency Money Fund, DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares, Government Cash Managed Shares and Service Shares.
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio offers six classes of shares: DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares, DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund, DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S, Service Shares, Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares and Tax-Free Investment Class. DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio may impose liquidity fees on redemptions and/or temporarily suspend (gate) redemptions if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors.
The financial highlights for all classes of shares, other than Service Shares, are provided separately and are available upon request.
Each Fund’s investment income, realized gains and losses, and certain Fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares of that Fund, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Trust have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
Each Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements.
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
The Funds value all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/ amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Funds are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following each Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Repurchase Agreements. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement, with certain banks and broker/dealers whereby each Fund, through its custodian or a sub-custodian bank, receives delivery of the underlying securities, the amount of which at the time of purchase and each subsequent business day is required to be maintained at such a level that the market value is equal to at least the principal amount of the repurchase price plus accrued interest. The custodial bank or another designated sub-custodian bank holds the collateral in a separate account until the agreement matures. If the value of the securities falls below the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus accrued interest, the financial institution deposits additional collateral by the following business day. If the financial institution either fails to deposit the required additional collateral or fails to repurchase the securities as agreed, the Funds have the right to sell the securities and recover any resulting loss from the financial institution. If the financial institution enters into bankruptcy, the Funds’ claims on the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.
As of October 31, 2022, DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio held repurchase agreements with a gross value of $901,520,000. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements at period end. The detail of the related collateral is included in the footnotes following DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio’s Investment Portfolio.
Federal Income Taxes. Each of the Funds’ policies is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.
At April 30, 2022, DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $106,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At April 30, 2022, DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $6,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At October 31, 2022, DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $1,420,065,341.
At October 31, 2022, DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $145,864,000.
The Funds have reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022 and have determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Funds’ financial statements. The Funds’ federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income. Net investment income of each Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. Each Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. Each Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax basis differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no book-to-tax differences for the Funds.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned pro rata on the basis of relative net assets among the funds in the Trust.
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
Management Agreement. Under an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio in accordance with their respective investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by each Fund.
The monthly management fee for the Funds is computed based on the combined average daily net assets of the two funds of the Trust and allocated to DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax- Exempt Portfolio, respectively, based on their relative net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million of the Funds’ combined average daily net assets | |
Next $500 million of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Over $3 billion of such net assets | |
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
The Advisor has agreed to contractually reduce its management fee for the DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio such that the annual effective rate is limited to 0.05% of the DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio’s average daily net assets.
In addition, the Advisor agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The voluntary waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
notice. Under these arrangements, the Advisor waived certain expenses on Service Shares of DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio.
The Advisor also agreed to maintain expenses of certain other classes of the Trust. These rates are disclosed in the respective share classes’ semiannual reports that are provided separately and are available upon request.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | |
| |
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio: | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
| |
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, each of these two Funds pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of each of these two Funds’ average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Administration Fee for each fund was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
| | |
Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Funds. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” ), DSC has delegated certain
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Funds. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Funds by DSC were as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
| | |
| | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
In addition, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to each Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:
| |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio: | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Distribution Service Agreement, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ), calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets for the shares listed in the following table.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | |
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) for the shares listed in the following table. A portion of these fees may be paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Service Fee was as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Funds, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Funds. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Funds by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” were as follows:
| | Unpaid at October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
| | |
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Funds paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
Transactions with Affiliates. The Funds may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is solely due to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common trustees. During the six months ended October 31, 2022, the DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio engaged in securities purchases of $57,920,000 and securities sales of $71,115,000 with a net gain (loss) on securities sales of $0, with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
The Funds and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. Each Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. Each Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Funds had no outstanding loans at October 31, 2022.
D.
Fund Share Transactions
The following tables summarize share and dollar activity in the Funds:
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
From time to time, a Fund may have a concentration of several shareholder accounts holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund.
At October 31, 2022, 19% of the outstanding shares of DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio was held by other affiliated DWS funds shareholder accounts as a cash management vehicle for the cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program of the DWS family of funds.
F.
Money Market Fund Investments and Yield
Rising interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. Although interest rates in the U.S. remain at low levels, they have been rising and are expected to continue to increase in the near future. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund. Increased redemptions from the Fund may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline and impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Conversely, any decline in interest rates is likely to cause the Fund’s yield to decline, and during periods of unusually low or negative interest rates, the Fund’s yield may approach or fall below zero. A low or negative interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and, at times, could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Over time, the total return of a money market fund may not keep pace with inflation, which could result in a net loss of purchasing power for long-term investors. Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities. If there is an insufficient supply of U.S. government securities to meet investor demand, it could result in lower yields on such securities and increase interest rate risk for the fund.
G.
Other — COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain interruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The Funds and their investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic may result in the Funds and their service providers experiencing operational difficulties in coordinating a remote workforce and implementing their business continuity plans, among others. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Funds and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Funds' accounting and financial reporting.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Information About Each Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in each Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of
investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, each Fund limited these expenses for Service Shares; had they not done so,
expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
—
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.
—
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Service Shares
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | | |
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return | | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | | |
| Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365. |
Annualized Expense Ratios | DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | |
| | |
For more information, please refer to each Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
Other Information
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com as of each month-end. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
—
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
—
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
—
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
—
The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
—
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (Service Shares) was in the 3rd quartile of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares (2nd quartile), Government Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Government & Agency Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and Service Shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ) and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
—
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
—
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
—
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
—
The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
—
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares) was in the 3rd quartile and 2nd quartile, respectively, of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
(1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: Service Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Free Investment Class shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ), noting that DIMA indicated that it does not provide services to any other comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its
Cash Account Trust — Service Shares | | |
affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
| | Cash Account Trust — Service Shares |
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
CATS-3
(R-033430-10 12/22)
October 31, 2022
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund
| |
| |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| |
| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| |
| Notes to Financial Statements |
| Information About Your Fund’s Expenses |
| |
| Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation |
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, visit dws.com. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in one class of shares of the Fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share prices of all classes of shares of the Fund. Please read the prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
| | |
Government & Agency Obligations | | |
| | |
Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Gov’t & Agency Retail* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Gov’t & Agency Retail — Category includes the most broadly based of the government retail funds. These funds may invest in U.S. Treasury securities, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 4. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| | |
Government & Agency Obligations 38.9% |
U.S. Government Sponsored Agencies 27.0% |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
SOFR + 0.01%, 3.06% (a), 11/4/2022 | | | |
SOFR + 0.01%, 3.06% (a), 12/29/2022 | | | |
SOFR + 0.03%, 3.08% (a), 1/13/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.04%, 3.09% (a), 1/26/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.04%, 3.09% (a), 2/10/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.06%, 3.1% (a), 5/1/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.055%, 3.105% (a), 3/9/2023 | | | |
| | | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations 11.9% |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes: | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield - 0.015%, 4.097% (a), 1/31/2024 | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield + 0.029%, 4.141% (a), 7/31/2023 | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield + 0.034%, 4.146% (a), 4/30/2023 | | | |
| | | |
Total Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $518,545,341) | |
Repurchase Agreements 67.7% |
Barclays Bank PLC, 3.05%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $5,000,424 on 11/1/2022 (c) | | | |
BNP Paribas, 3.0%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $188,415,700 on 11/1/2022 (d) | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., 3.02%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $161,413,540 on 11/1/2022 (e) | | | |
Fixed Income Clearing Corp., 3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $150,012,542 on 11/1/2022 (f) | | | |
HSBC Securities, Inc., 3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $128,310,727 on 11/1/2022 (g) | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
| | |
JPMorgan Securities, Inc.: | | | |
3.05%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $180,015,250 on 11/1/2022 (h) | | | |
3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $17,621,473 on 11/1/2022 (i) | | | |
| | | |
3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $30,002,508 on 11/1/2022 (j) | | | |
3.06%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $40,803,468 on 11/1/2022 (k) | | | |
Total Repurchase Agreements (Cost $901,520,000) | |
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Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $1,420,065,341) | | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | | |
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| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
| Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate. |
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| U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bonds | | | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
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| Federal National Mortgage Association | | | |
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| U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bonds | | | |
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| Federal National Mortgage Association | | | |
| Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal Securities |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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Investments in Securities (a) | | | | |
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| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
Repurchase agreements, valued at amortized cost | |
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Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
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Payable for investments purchased | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
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Other accrued expenses and payables | |
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Distributable earnings (loss) | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($250,572,646 ÷ 250,660,937 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($1,051,360,723 ÷ 1,051,733,263 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($22,634,622 ÷ 22,642,641 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
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Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($7,426,046 ÷ 7,428,676 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
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Distribution and service fees | |
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Trustees' fees and expenses | |
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Total expenses before expense reductions | |
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Total expenses after expense reductions | |
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Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
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Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
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Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
Financial Highlights
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio — DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
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Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
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Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
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Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
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Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Account Trust (the “Trust” ) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust offers two funds: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio. These financial statements report on DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio (the “Fund” ).
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio offers four classes of shares: DWS Government & Agency Money Fund, DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares, Government Cash Managed Shares and Service Shares.
The financial highlights for all classes of shares, other than DWS Government & Agency Money Fund, are provided separately and are available upon request.
The Fund’s investment income, realized gains and losses, and certain Fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares of the Fund, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Trust have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
The Fund values all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/ amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement, with certain banks and broker/dealers whereby the Fund, through its custodian or a sub-custodian bank, receives delivery of the underlying securities, the amount of which at the time of purchase and each subsequent business day is required to be maintained at such a level that the market value is equal to at least the principal amount of the repurchase price plus accrued interest. The custodial bank or another designated sub-custodian bank holds the collateral in a separate account until the agreement matures. If the value of the securities falls below the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus accrued interest, the financial institution deposits additional collateral by the following business day. If the financial institution either fails to deposit the required additional collateral or fails to repurchase the securities as agreed, the Fund has the right to sell the securities and recover any resulting loss from the financial institution. If the financial institution enters into bankruptcy, the Fund’s claims on the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.
As of October 31, 2022, the Fund held repurchase agreements with a gross value of $901,520,000. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements at period end. The detail of the related collateral is included in the footnotes following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
At April 30, 2022, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $106,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $1,420,065,341.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income. Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. The Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax basis differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no book-to-tax differences for the Fund.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned pro rata on the basis of relative net assets among the funds in the Trust.
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
Management Agreement. Under an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
The monthly management fee for the Fund is computed based on the combined average daily net assets of the two funds of the Trust and
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
allocated to the Fund based on its relative net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million of the Funds’ combined average daily net assets | |
Next $500 million of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Over $3 billion of such net assets | |
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
The Advisor has agreed to contractually reduce its management fee for the Fund such that the annual effective rate is limited to 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the period from May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the DWS Government & Agency Money Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.45%.
In addition, the Advisor agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The voluntary waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without notice. Under these arrangements, the Advisor waived certain expenses on DWS Government & Agency Money Fund.
The Advisor also agreed to maintain expenses of certain other classes of the Trust. These rates are disclosed in the respective share classes’ semiannual reports that are provided separately and are available upon request.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | |
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Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Administration Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
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In addition, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:
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DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Distribution Service Agreement, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ), calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets for the shares listed in the following table.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
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In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) for the shares listed in the following table. A portion of these fees may be paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Service Fee was as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” was as follows:
| | Unpaid at October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at October 31, 2022.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
D.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
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|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
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Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
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DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
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|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
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From time to time, the Fund may have a concentration of several shareholder accounts holding a significant percentage of shares
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund.
At October 31, 2022, 19% of the outstanding shares of the Fund was held by other affiliated DWS funds shareholder accounts as a cash management vehicle for the cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program of the DWS family of funds.
F.
Money Market Fund Investments and Yield
Rising interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. Although interest rates in the U.S. remain at low levels, they have been rising and are expected to continue to increase in the near future. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund. Increased redemptions from the Fund may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline and impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Conversely, any decline in interest rates is likely to cause the Fund’s yield to decline, and during periods of unusually low interest rates, the Fund’s yield may approach or fall below zero. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and, at times, could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Over time, the total return of a money market fund may not keep pace with inflation, which could result in a net loss of purchasing power for long-term investors. Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities. If there is an insufficient supply of U.S. government securities to meet investor demand, it could result in lower yields on such securities and increase interest rate risk for the fund.
G.
Other — COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain interruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The Fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in coordinating a remote workforce and implementing their business continuity plans, among others. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of
investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses for the DWS Government & Agency Money
Fund; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
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Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.
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Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS
Government &
Agency
Money Fund |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
| Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365. |
| DWS
Government &
Agency
Money Fund |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | |
For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
Other Information
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com as of each month-end. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
—
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
—
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
—
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
—
The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
—
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (Service Shares) was in the 3rd quartile of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares (2nd quartile), Government Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Government & Agency Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and Service Shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ) and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its
| | DWS Government & Agency Money Fund |
affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
DGAMF-3
(R-033436-10 12/22)
October 31, 2022
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares
Fund #250
Government Cash Managed Shares
Fund #254
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| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
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| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
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| Notes to Financial Statements |
| Information About Your Fund’s Expenses |
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| Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation |
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, visit dws.com. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in one class of shares of the Fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share prices of all classes of shares of the Fund. Please read the prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
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Government & Agency Obligations | | |
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Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Gov’t & Agency Institutional* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Gov’t & Agency Institutional — Category includes the most broadly based of the government institutional funds. These funds may invest in U.S. Treasury securities, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 4. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
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Government & Agency Obligations 38.9% |
U.S. Government Sponsored Agencies 27.0% |
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SOFR + 0.01%, 3.06% (a), 11/4/2022 | | | |
SOFR + 0.01%, 3.06% (a), 12/29/2022 | | | |
SOFR + 0.03%, 3.08% (a), 1/13/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.04%, 3.09% (a), 1/26/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.04%, 3.09% (a), 2/10/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.06%, 3.1% (a), 5/1/2023 | | | |
SOFR + 0.055%, 3.105% (a), 3/9/2023 | | | |
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U.S. Treasury Obligations 11.9% |
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U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Notes: | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield - 0.015%, 4.097% (a), 1/31/2024 | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield + 0.029%, 4.141% (a), 7/31/2023 | | | |
3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield + 0.034%, 4.146% (a), 4/30/2023 | | | |
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Total Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $518,545,341) | |
Repurchase Agreements 67.7% |
Barclays Bank PLC, 3.05%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $5,000,424 on 11/1/2022 (c) | | | |
BNP Paribas, 3.0%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $188,415,700 on 11/1/2022 (d) | | | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., 3.02%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $161,413,540 on 11/1/2022 (e) | | | |
Fixed Income Clearing Corp., 3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $150,012,542 on 11/1/2022 (f) | | | |
HSBC Securities, Inc., 3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $128,310,727 on 11/1/2022 (g) | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
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JPMorgan Securities, Inc.: | | | |
3.05%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $180,015,250 on 11/1/2022 (h) | | | |
3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $17,621,473 on 11/1/2022 (i) | | | |
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3.01%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $30,002,508 on 11/1/2022 (j) | | | |
3.06%, dated 10/31/2022, to be repurchased at $40,803,468 on 11/1/2022 (k) | | | |
Total Repurchase Agreements (Cost $901,520,000) | |
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Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $1,420,065,341) | | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | | |
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| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
| Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate. |
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| U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bonds | | | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
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| Federal National Mortgage Association | | | |
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| U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bonds | | | |
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| Federal National Mortgage Association | | | |
| Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal Securities |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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Investments in Securities (a) | | | | |
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| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
Repurchase agreements, valued at amortized cost | |
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Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
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Payable for investments purchased | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
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Other accrued expenses and payables | |
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Distributable earnings (loss) | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($250,572,646 ÷ 250,660,937 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($1,051,360,723 ÷ 1,051,733,263 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($22,634,622 ÷ 22,642,641 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
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Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($7,426,046 ÷ 7,428,676 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
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Distribution and service fees | |
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Trustees' fees and expenses | |
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Total expenses before expense reductions | |
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Total expenses after expense reductions | |
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Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio |
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
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Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
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Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
Financial Highlights
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio — DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares |
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Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
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Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
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Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
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Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio — Government Cash Managed Shares |
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Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
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Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
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Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
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Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Account Trust (the “Trust” ) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust offers two funds: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio. These financial statements report on DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio (the “Fund” ).
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio offers four classes of shares: DWS Government & Agency Money Fund, DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares, Government Cash Managed Shares and Service Shares.
The financial highlights for all classes of shares, other than DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares and Government Cash Managed Shares, are provided separately and are available upon request.
The Fund’s investment income, realized gains and losses, and certain Fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares of the Fund, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Trust have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
The Fund values all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/ amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement, with certain banks and broker/dealers whereby the Fund, through its custodian or a sub-custodian bank, receives delivery of the underlying securities, the amount of which at the time of purchase and each subsequent business day is required to be maintained at such a level that the market value is equal to at least the principal amount of the repurchase price plus accrued interest. The custodial bank or another designated sub-custodian bank holds the collateral in a separate account until the agreement matures. If the value of the securities falls below the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus accrued interest, the financial institution deposits additional collateral by the following business day. If the financial institution either fails to deposit the required additional collateral or fails to repurchase the securities as agreed, the Fund has the right to sell the securities and recover any resulting loss from the financial institution. If the financial institution enters into bankruptcy, the Fund’s claims on the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.
As of October 31, 2022, the Fund held repurchase agreements with a gross value of $901,520,000. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements at period end. The detail of the related collateral is included in the footnotes following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
At April 30, 2022, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $106,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $1,420,065,341.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income. Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. The Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax basis differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no book-to-tax differences for the Fund.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned pro rata on the basis of relative net assets among the funds in the Trust.
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
Management Agreement. Under an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
The monthly management fee for the Fund is computed based on the combined average daily net assets of the two funds of the Trust and
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
allocated to the Fund based on its relative net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million of the Funds’ combined average daily net assets | |
Next $500 million of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Over $3 billion of such net assets | |
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
The Advisor has agreed to contractually reduce its management fee for the Fund such that the annual effective rate is limited to 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the period from May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares and Government Cash Managed Shares to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.18% and 0.46%, respectively.
For the period from May 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022, the Advisor voluntarily agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) of DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares at 0.10%. This voluntary waiver or reimbursement may be terminated at any time at the option of the Advisor.
In addition, the Advisor agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The voluntary waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without notice. Under these arrangements, the Advisor waived certain expenses on Government Cash Managed Shares.
The Advisor also agreed to maintain expenses of certain other classes of the Trust. These rates are disclosed in the respective share classes’ semiannual reports that are provided separately and are available upon request.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | |
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Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Administration Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
| | |
| | |
In addition, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:
| |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | |
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Distribution Service Agreement, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ), calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets for the shares listed in the following table.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | |
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) for the shares listed in the following table. A portion of these fees may be paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Service Fee was as follows:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” was as follows:
| | Unpaid at October 31, 2022 |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at October 31, 2022.
D.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Government & Agency Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | | | | |
Government Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
From time to time, the Fund may have a concentration of several shareholder accounts holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund.
At October 31, 2022, 19% of the outstanding shares of the Fund was held by other affiliated DWS funds shareholder accounts as a cash management vehicle for the cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program of the DWS family of funds.
F.
Money Market Fund Investments and Yield
Rising interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. Although interest rates in the U.S. remain at low levels, they have been rising and are expected to continue to increase in the near future. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund. Increased redemptions from the Fund may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline and impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Conversely, any decline in interest rates is likely to cause the Fund’s yield to decline, and during periods of unusually low interest rates, the Fund’s yield may approach or fall below zero. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and, at times, could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Over time, the total return of a money market fund may not keep pace with inflation, which could result in a net loss of purchasing power for long-term investors. Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities. If there is an insufficient supply of U.S. government securities to meet investor demand, it could result in lower yields on such securities and increase interest rate risk for the fund.
G.
Other — COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain interruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The Fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in coordinating a remote workforce and implementing their business continuity plans, among others. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of
investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses for the DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares and the Government Cash Managed Shares; had it not done so,
expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
—
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.
—
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | Government Cash Managed Shares |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | | |
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return | | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | | |
| Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365. |
Annualized Expense Ratios | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares | Government Cash Managed Shares |
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio | | |
For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
Other Information
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com as of each month-end. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
—
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
—
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
—
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
—
The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
—
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (Service Shares) was in the 3rd quartile of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares (2nd quartile), Government Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Government & Agency Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and Service Shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ) and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its
DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares | | |
affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
| | DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares Government Cash Managed Shares |
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
DGCF-3
(R-033435-10 12/22)
October 31, 2022
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares
Fund #148
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares
Fund #248
| |
| |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| |
| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| |
| Notes to Financial Statements |
| Information About Your Fund’s Expenses |
| |
| Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation |
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, visit dws.com. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in one class of shares of the Fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share prices of all classes of shares of the Fund. Please read the prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
Variable Rate Demand Notes | | |
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper | | |
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares | | |
| | |
| | |
Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Tax-Free National Retail* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Tax-Free National Retail — Category includes retail funds that invest in obligations of tax-exempt entities, including state and municipal authorities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 4. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| | |
Municipal Investments 99.5% | |
| |
California, East Bay Muncipal Utility District: | | | |
Series A-2, TECP, 2.55%, 12/6/2022 | | | |
Series A-1, TECP, 2.68%, 12/7/2022 | | | |
California, General Obligation: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
California, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Series 1-1362, 144A, AMT, 2.33% (a), 6/1/2041, LIQ: Societe Generale | | | |
California, Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund, 144A, AMT, 2.34% (a), 10/1/2031, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
San Bernardino County, CA, Flood Control District Judgment Obligation, 1.95% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Connecticut, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XG0204, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| |
Delaware, State Economic Development Authority Revenue, YMCA State Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| |
Alachua County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Santa Fe Apartments II Project, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, The Nemours Foundation, Series C-2, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Palm Beach County, FL, Henry Morrison Flagler Project Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
| | |
Pinellas County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Suncoast Hospice Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Pinellas County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Booker Creek Apartments, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Georgia, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XF0709, 144A, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Valdosta-Lowndes County, GA, Industrial Development Authority, Martins Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., Series A, AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Brookfield, IL, Zoo Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, OSF Healthcare System, Series C, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, The Carle Foundation, Series C, 2.19% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American College Surgeons, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American Youth Hostels Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, Ignatius College Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, YMCA Metropolitan Chicago Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, The Adler Planetarium, 2.41% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority, Columbia College Chicago, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Clearbrook Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
| | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Housing Development Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Woodlawn Apartments, Series A, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
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Elkhart County, IN, Multi-Family Revenue, Ashton Pines Apartments, Series A, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Federal Home Loan Bank | | | |
St. Joseph County, IN, Economic Development Revenue, Series 2004, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Iowa, Finance Authority, Educational Facility Revenue, Holy Family Catholic School Project, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Iowa, Single-Family Finance Authority, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Midwestern Disaster Area, Series A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority Revenue, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority, Private College, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Kansas, State Development Finance Authority, Health Facilities, University of Kansas Health System, Series J, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Olathe, KS, Industrial Revenue, Multi Modal Diamant Boart, Series A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Svenska Handelsbanken | | | |
| | | |
| |
Boone County, KY, Pollution Control Revenue, Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc., 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
| | |
| |
Louisiana, Public Facilities Authority Revenue, Christus Health, Series B-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Louisiana, State Housing Finance Agency Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Reserve Jefferson Crossing, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Maryland, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Gaudenzia Foundation, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| |
Massachusetts, State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Highway Systems Revenue, Series A-2, 2.37% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Development Finance Agency, College of the Holy Cross, Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Series J-2, 2.12% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Massachusetts, State Water Resources Authority: | | | |
Series A-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Series A-3, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2203, 144A, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Toronto-Dominion Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Mississippi, State Business Finance Commission, Gulf Opportunity Zone, Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Series F, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, GTY: Chevron Corp. | | | |
| |
Kansas City, MO, Special Obligation, H. Roe Bartle Convention Center, Series E, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Missouri, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, St Louis University: | | | |
Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series B-1, 1.69% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
| | |
Missouri, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2198, 144A, 2.32% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Citibank NA | | | |
Nodaway County, MO, Industrial Development Authority, Educational Facilities Revenue, North West Foundation, Inc., 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Wright City, MO, Industrial Revenue, WaterLow Process Systems, Inc., AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington County, NE, Industrial Development Revenue, Cargill, Inc., Series B, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| |
Clark County, NV, Airport Systems Revenue, Series D-3, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| |
New Jersey, State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, AHS Hospital Corp., Series C, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
| |
New Mexico, State Mortgage Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Villas de San Ignacio LP, Series A, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| |
New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series E-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 2.21% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Royal Charter Properties, Series A, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
New York, State Energy Research & Development Authority Facilities Revenue, Consolidated Edison Co., Inc. Project, Series A-3, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
New York, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series B-4C, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
New York, NY, General Obligation: | | | |
Series A-3, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
Series L-4, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series D, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
| | |
New York, NY, Health & Hospital Corp., Health System Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue: | | | |
Series DD-3B, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series EE-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series F-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Citibank NA | | | |
Series F1B, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Cuyahoga County, OH, Health Care Facilities Revenue, AM McGregor Home Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Franklin County, OH, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Health Corp., Series D, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
| | | |
| |
Oklahoma, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XM0708, 144A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
| |
Oregon, State Facilities Authority Revenue, Peacehealth Systems: | | | |
Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Lancaster County, PA, Industrial Development Authority, Willow Valley Retirement, Series C, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Lebanon County, PA, Health Facility Authority Revenue, ECC Retirement Village Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority Revenue, Hawley Silk Mill LLC, Recovery Zone Facility, Series A1, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
| | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Kingsley Association Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Philadelphia, PA, General Obligation, Series B, 2.18% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| | | |
| |
Rhode Island, State Health & Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility Revenue, Bryant University, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Carolina, State Jobs Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Prisma Healthcare Obligated Group, Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Dakota, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Sioux Vy Hospital & Health Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Greeneville, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Revenue, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater Systems Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Harris County, TX, General Obligation, Series B, TECP, 2.6%, 11/16/2022 | | | |
Harris County, TX, Hospital District Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Christus Health Obligated Group: | | | |
Series C-2, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Series C-1, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Project, Series A, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
| | |
| |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Fletcher Allen Health care, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Landmark College Project, Series A, 1.72% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Loudoun County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Industrial Development Revenue, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Lynchburg, VA, Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Centra Health Obligated Group, Series B, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Truist Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, Combridge Apartments, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, The Evergreen School, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multi-Family Variable Rate Certificates: | | | |
“A” , Series M027, 144A, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M031, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M-055, 144A, MUNIPSA + 0.210%, 2.45% (b), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| | | |
Total Municipal Investments (Cost $145,864,000) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
| | | |
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $145,864,000) | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | |
| | |
| Variable rate demand notes and variable rate demand preferred shares are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically (usually daily mode or weekly mode) by remarketing agents based on current market levels, and are not directly set as a fixed spread to a reference rate. These securities may be redeemed at par by the holder through a put or tender feature, and are shown at their current rates as of October 31, 2022. Date shown reflects the earlier of demand date or stated maturity date. |
| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. |
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax. |
|
|
|
MUNIPSA: SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield |
SIFMA: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association |
SPA: Standby Bond Purchase Agreement |
TECP: Tax Exempt Commercial Paper |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
| | | | |
Municipal Investments (a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
| |
Receivable for investments sold | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
| |
| |
Other accrued expenses and payables | |
| |
| |
| |
Distributable earnings (loss) | |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,599,411 ÷ 5,591,276 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($81,810,488 ÷ 81,691,833 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($37,533,293 ÷ 37,478,806 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
| |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,955,346 ÷ 5,946,696 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($9,346,402 ÷ 9,332,812 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($6,374,623 ÷ 6,365,367 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Distribution and service fees | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Trustees' fees and expenses | |
| |
Total expenses before expense reductions | |
| |
Total expenses after expense reductions | |
| |
Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
| | |
Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Financial Highlights
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares |
| | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
| | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Account Trust (the “Trust” ) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust offers two funds: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio. These financial statements report on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio (the “Fund” ).
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio offers six classes of shares: DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares, DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund, DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S, Service Shares, Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares and Tax-Free Investment Class. The Fund may impose liquidity fees on redemptions and/or temporarily suspend (gate) redemptions if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors.
The financial highlights for all classes of shares, other than DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares and Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares, are provided separately and are available upon request.
The Fund’s investment income, realized gains and losses, and certain Fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares of the Fund, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Trust have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
The Fund values all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/ amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.
At April 30, 2022, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $6,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $145,864,000.
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income. Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. The Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax basis differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no book-to-tax differences for the Fund.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned pro rata on the basis of relative net assets among the funds in the Trust.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
Management Agreement. Under an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
The monthly management fee for the Fund is computed based on the combined average daily net assets of the two funds of the Trust and allocated to the Fund based on its relative net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million of the Funds’ combined average daily net assets | |
Next $500 million of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Over $3 billion of such net assets | |
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the period from May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.20%.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
In addition, the Advisor agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The voluntary waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without notice. Under these arrangements, the Advisor waived certain expenses on Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares.
In addition, the Advisor also agreed to maintain expenses of certain other classes of the Trust. These rates are disclosed in the respective share classes’ semiannual reports that are provided separately and are available upon request.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
| |
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Administration Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
In addition, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Distribution Service Agreement, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ), calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets for the shares listed in the following table.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) for the shares listed in the following table. A portion of these fees may be paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Service Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” was as follows:
| | Unpaid at October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
Transactions with Affiliates. The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is solely due to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common trustees. During the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Fund engaged in securities purchases of $57,920,000 and securities sales of $71,115,000 with a net gain (loss) on securities sales of $0, with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at October 31, 2022.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
D.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
E.
Money Market Fund Investments and Yield
Rising interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. Although interest rates in the U.S. remain at low levels, they have been rising and are expected to continue to increase in the near future. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund. Increased redemptions from the Fund may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
and impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Conversely, any decline in interest rates is likely to cause the Fund’s yield to decline, and during periods of unusually low or negative interest rates, the Fund’s yield may approach or fall below zero. A low or negative interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and, at times, could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Over time, the total return of a money market fund may not keep pace with inflation, which could result in a net loss of purchasing power for long-term investors. Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities.
F.
Other — COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain interruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The Fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in coordinating a remote workforce and implementing their business continuity plans, among others. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of
investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses for the DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares and Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares; had it not done so,
expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
—
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.
—
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | | |
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return | | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | | |
| Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365. |
| DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
| | |
For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Other Information
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com as of each month-end. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
—
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
—
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
—
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
—
The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
—
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares) was in the 3rd quartile and 2nd quartile, respectively, of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: Service Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Free Investment Class shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ), noting that DIMA indicated that it does not provide services to any other comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares |
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
STIM-3
(R-033437-10 12/22)
October 31, 2022
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund
| |
| |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| |
| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| |
| Notes to Financial Statements |
| Information About Your Fund’s Expenses |
| |
| Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation |
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, visit dws.com. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in one class of shares of the Fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share prices of all classes of shares of the Fund. Please read the prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
Variable Rate Demand Notes | | |
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper | | |
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares | | |
| | |
| | |
Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Tax-Free National Retail* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Tax-Free National Retail — Category includes retail funds that invest in obligations of tax-exempt entities, including state and municipal authorities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 4. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| | |
Municipal Investments 99.5% | |
| |
California, East Bay Muncipal Utility District: | | | |
Series A-2, TECP, 2.55%, 12/6/2022 | | | |
Series A-1, TECP, 2.68%, 12/7/2022 | | | |
California, General Obligation: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
California, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Series 1-1362, 144A, AMT, 2.33% (a), 6/1/2041, LIQ: Societe Generale | | | |
California, Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund, 144A, AMT, 2.34% (a), 10/1/2031, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
San Bernardino County, CA, Flood Control District Judgment Obligation, 1.95% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Connecticut, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XG0204, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| |
Delaware, State Economic Development Authority Revenue, YMCA State Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| |
Alachua County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Santa Fe Apartments II Project, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, The Nemours Foundation, Series C-2, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Palm Beach County, FL, Henry Morrison Flagler Project Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
| | |
Pinellas County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Suncoast Hospice Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Pinellas County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Booker Creek Apartments, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Georgia, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XF0709, 144A, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Valdosta-Lowndes County, GA, Industrial Development Authority, Martins Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., Series A, AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Brookfield, IL, Zoo Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, OSF Healthcare System, Series C, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, The Carle Foundation, Series C, 2.19% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American College Surgeons, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American Youth Hostels Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, Ignatius College Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, YMCA Metropolitan Chicago Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, The Adler Planetarium, 2.41% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority, Columbia College Chicago, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Clearbrook Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
| | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Housing Development Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Woodlawn Apartments, Series A, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Elkhart County, IN, Multi-Family Revenue, Ashton Pines Apartments, Series A, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Federal Home Loan Bank | | | |
St. Joseph County, IN, Economic Development Revenue, Series 2004, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Iowa, Finance Authority, Educational Facility Revenue, Holy Family Catholic School Project, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Iowa, Single-Family Finance Authority, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Midwestern Disaster Area, Series A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority Revenue, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority, Private College, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Kansas, State Development Finance Authority, Health Facilities, University of Kansas Health System, Series J, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Olathe, KS, Industrial Revenue, Multi Modal Diamant Boart, Series A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Svenska Handelsbanken | | | |
| | | |
| |
Boone County, KY, Pollution Control Revenue, Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc., 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
| | |
| |
Louisiana, Public Facilities Authority Revenue, Christus Health, Series B-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Louisiana, State Housing Finance Agency Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Reserve Jefferson Crossing, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Maryland, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Gaudenzia Foundation, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| |
Massachusetts, State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Highway Systems Revenue, Series A-2, 2.37% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Development Finance Agency, College of the Holy Cross, Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Series J-2, 2.12% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Massachusetts, State Water Resources Authority: | | | |
Series A-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Series A-3, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2203, 144A, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Toronto-Dominion Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Mississippi, State Business Finance Commission, Gulf Opportunity Zone, Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Series F, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, GTY: Chevron Corp. | | | |
| |
Kansas City, MO, Special Obligation, H. Roe Bartle Convention Center, Series E, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Missouri, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, St Louis University: | | | |
Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series B-1, 1.69% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
| | |
Missouri, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2198, 144A, 2.32% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Citibank NA | | | |
Nodaway County, MO, Industrial Development Authority, Educational Facilities Revenue, North West Foundation, Inc., 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Wright City, MO, Industrial Revenue, WaterLow Process Systems, Inc., AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington County, NE, Industrial Development Revenue, Cargill, Inc., Series B, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| |
Clark County, NV, Airport Systems Revenue, Series D-3, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| |
New Jersey, State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, AHS Hospital Corp., Series C, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
| |
New Mexico, State Mortgage Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Villas de San Ignacio LP, Series A, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| |
New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series E-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 2.21% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Royal Charter Properties, Series A, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
New York, State Energy Research & Development Authority Facilities Revenue, Consolidated Edison Co., Inc. Project, Series A-3, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
New York, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series B-4C, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
New York, NY, General Obligation: | | | |
Series A-3, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
Series L-4, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series D, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
| | |
New York, NY, Health & Hospital Corp., Health System Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue: | | | |
Series DD-3B, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series EE-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series F-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Citibank NA | | | |
Series F1B, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Cuyahoga County, OH, Health Care Facilities Revenue, AM McGregor Home Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Franklin County, OH, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Health Corp., Series D, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
| | | |
| |
Oklahoma, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XM0708, 144A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
| |
Oregon, State Facilities Authority Revenue, Peacehealth Systems: | | | |
Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Lancaster County, PA, Industrial Development Authority, Willow Valley Retirement, Series C, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Lebanon County, PA, Health Facility Authority Revenue, ECC Retirement Village Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority Revenue, Hawley Silk Mill LLC, Recovery Zone Facility, Series A1, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
| | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Kingsley Association Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Philadelphia, PA, General Obligation, Series B, 2.18% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| | | |
| |
Rhode Island, State Health & Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility Revenue, Bryant University, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Carolina, State Jobs Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Prisma Healthcare Obligated Group, Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Dakota, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Sioux Vy Hospital & Health Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Greeneville, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Revenue, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater Systems Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Harris County, TX, General Obligation, Series B, TECP, 2.6%, 11/16/2022 | | | |
Harris County, TX, Hospital District Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Christus Health Obligated Group: | | | |
Series C-2, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Series C-1, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Project, Series A, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
| | |
| |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Fletcher Allen Health care, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Landmark College Project, Series A, 1.72% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Loudoun County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Industrial Development Revenue, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Lynchburg, VA, Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Centra Health Obligated Group, Series B, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Truist Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, Combridge Apartments, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, The Evergreen School, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multi-Family Variable Rate Certificates: | | | |
“A” , Series M027, 144A, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M031, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M-055, 144A, MUNIPSA + 0.210%, 2.45% (b), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| | | |
Total Municipal Investments (Cost $145,864,000) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
| | | |
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $145,864,000) | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | |
| | |
| Variable rate demand notes and variable rate demand preferred shares are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically (usually daily mode or weekly mode) by remarketing agents based on current market levels, and are not directly set as a fixed spread to a reference rate. These securities may be redeemed at par by the holder through a put or tender feature, and are shown at their current rates as of October 31, 2022. Date shown reflects the earlier of demand date or stated maturity date. |
| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. |
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax. |
|
|
|
MUNIPSA: SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield |
SIFMA: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association |
SPA: Standby Bond Purchase Agreement |
TECP: Tax Exempt Commercial Paper |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
| | | | |
Municipal Investments (a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
| |
Receivable for investments sold | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
| |
| |
Other accrued expenses and payables | |
| |
| |
| |
Distributable earnings (loss) | |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,599,411 ÷ 5,591,276 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($81,810,488 ÷ 81,691,833 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($37,533,293 ÷ 37,478,806 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
| |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,955,346 ÷ 5,946,696 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($9,346,402 ÷ 9,332,812 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($6,374,623 ÷ 6,365,367 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Distribution and service fees | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Trustees' fees and expenses | |
| |
Total expenses before expense reductions | |
| |
Total expenses after expense reductions | |
| |
Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
| | |
Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
Financial Highlights
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
| | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Account Trust (the “Trust” ) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust offers two funds: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio. These financial statements report on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio (the “Fund” ).
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio offers six classes of shares: DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares, DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund, DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S, Service Shares, Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares and Tax-Free Investment Class. The Fund may impose liquidity fees on redemptions and/or temporarily suspend (gate) redemptions if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors.
The financial highlights for all classes of shares, other than DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund, are provided separately and are available upon request.
The Fund’s investment income, realized gains and losses, and certain Fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares of the Fund, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Trust have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
The Fund values all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/ amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.
At April 30, 2022, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $6,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $145,864,000.
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income. Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. The Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax basis differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no book-to-tax differences for the Fund.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned pro rata on the basis of relative net assets among the funds in the Trust.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
Management Agreement. Under an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
The monthly management fee for the Fund is computed based on the combined average daily net assets of the two funds of the Trust and allocated to the Fund based on its relative net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million of the Funds’ combined average daily net assets | |
Next $500 million of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Over $3 billion of such net assets | |
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the period from May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.40%.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
In addition, the Advisor agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The voluntary waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without notice. Under these arrangements, the Advisor waived certain expenses on DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund.
In addition, the Advisor also agreed to maintain expenses of certain other classes of the Trust. These rates are disclosed in the respective share classes’ semiannual reports that are provided separately and are available upon request.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
| |
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Administration Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
In addition, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Distribution Service Agreement, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ), calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets for the shares listed in the following table.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) for the shares listed in the following table. A portion of these fees may be paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Service Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” was as follows:
| | Unpaid at October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
Transactions with Affiliates. The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is solely due to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common trustees. During the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Fund engaged in securities purchases of $57,920,000 and securities sales of $71,115,000 with a net gain (loss) on securities sales of $0, with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at October 31, 2022.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
D.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
E.
Money Market Fund Investments and Yield
Rising interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. Although interest rates in the U.S. remain at low levels, they have been rising and are expected to continue to increase in the near future. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund. Increased redemptions from the Fund may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
and impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Conversely, any decline in interest rates is likely to cause the Fund’s yield to decline, and during periods of unusually low or negative interest rates, the Fund’s yield may approach or fall below zero. A low or negative interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and, at times, could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Over time, the total return of a money market fund may not keep pace with inflation, which could result in a net loss of purchasing power for long-term investors. Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities.
F.
Other — COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain interruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The Fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in coordinating a remote workforce and implementing their business continuity plans, among others. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of
investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses for the DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund; had it
not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
—
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.
—
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
| Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365. |
| DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
| |
For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
Other Information
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com as of each month-end. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
—
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
—
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
—
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
—
The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
—
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares) was in the 3rd quartile and 2nd quartile, respectively, of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: Service Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Free Investment Class shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ), noting that DIMA indicated that it does not provide services to any other comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall
| | DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund |
profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
DTEMF-3
(R-033438-10 12/22)
October 31, 2022
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Tax-Free Investment Class
| |
| |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| |
| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| |
| Notes to Financial Statements |
| Information About Your Fund’s Expenses |
| |
| Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation |
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, visit dws.com. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in one class of shares of the Fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share prices of all classes of shares of the Fund. Please read the prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
Variable Rate Demand Notes | | |
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper | | |
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares | | |
| | |
| | |
Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Tax-Free National Retail* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Tax-Free National Retail — Category includes retail funds that invest in obligations of tax-exempt entities, including state and municipal authorities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 4. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| | |
Municipal Investments 99.5% | |
| |
California, East Bay Muncipal Utility District: | | | |
Series A-2, TECP, 2.55%, 12/6/2022 | | | |
Series A-1, TECP, 2.68%, 12/7/2022 | | | |
California, General Obligation: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
California, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Series 1-1362, 144A, AMT, 2.33% (a), 6/1/2041, LIQ: Societe Generale | | | |
California, Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund, 144A, AMT, 2.34% (a), 10/1/2031, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
San Bernardino County, CA, Flood Control District Judgment Obligation, 1.95% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Connecticut, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XG0204, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| |
Delaware, State Economic Development Authority Revenue, YMCA State Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| |
Alachua County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Santa Fe Apartments II Project, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, The Nemours Foundation, Series C-2, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Palm Beach County, FL, Henry Morrison Flagler Project Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
| | |
Pinellas County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Suncoast Hospice Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Pinellas County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Booker Creek Apartments, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Georgia, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XF0709, 144A, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Valdosta-Lowndes County, GA, Industrial Development Authority, Martins Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., Series A, AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Brookfield, IL, Zoo Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, OSF Healthcare System, Series C, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, The Carle Foundation, Series C, 2.19% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American College Surgeons, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American Youth Hostels Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, Ignatius College Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, YMCA Metropolitan Chicago Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, The Adler Planetarium, 2.41% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority, Columbia College Chicago, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Clearbrook Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Housing Development Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Woodlawn Apartments, Series A, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Elkhart County, IN, Multi-Family Revenue, Ashton Pines Apartments, Series A, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Federal Home Loan Bank | | | |
St. Joseph County, IN, Economic Development Revenue, Series 2004, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Iowa, Finance Authority, Educational Facility Revenue, Holy Family Catholic School Project, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Iowa, Single-Family Finance Authority, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Midwestern Disaster Area, Series A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority Revenue, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority, Private College, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Kansas, State Development Finance Authority, Health Facilities, University of Kansas Health System, Series J, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Olathe, KS, Industrial Revenue, Multi Modal Diamant Boart, Series A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Svenska Handelsbanken | | | |
| | | |
| |
Boone County, KY, Pollution Control Revenue, Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc., 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
| | |
| |
Louisiana, Public Facilities Authority Revenue, Christus Health, Series B-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Louisiana, State Housing Finance Agency Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Reserve Jefferson Crossing, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| | | |
| |
Maryland, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Gaudenzia Foundation, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
| |
Massachusetts, State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Highway Systems Revenue, Series A-2, 2.37% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Development Finance Agency, College of the Holy Cross, Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Series J-2, 2.12% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Massachusetts, State Water Resources Authority: | | | |
Series A-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Series A-3, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2203, 144A, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Toronto-Dominion Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Mississippi, State Business Finance Commission, Gulf Opportunity Zone, Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Series F, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, GTY: Chevron Corp. | | | |
| |
Kansas City, MO, Special Obligation, H. Roe Bartle Convention Center, Series E, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Missouri, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, St Louis University: | | | |
Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series B-1, 1.69% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
Missouri, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2198, 144A, 2.32% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Citibank NA | | | |
Nodaway County, MO, Industrial Development Authority, Educational Facilities Revenue, North West Foundation, Inc., 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Wright City, MO, Industrial Revenue, WaterLow Process Systems, Inc., AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington County, NE, Industrial Development Revenue, Cargill, Inc., Series B, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| |
Clark County, NV, Airport Systems Revenue, Series D-3, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
| |
New Jersey, State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, AHS Hospital Corp., Series C, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
| |
New Mexico, State Mortgage Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Villas de San Ignacio LP, Series A, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
| |
New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series E-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 2.21% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Royal Charter Properties, Series A, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
New York, State Energy Research & Development Authority Facilities Revenue, Consolidated Edison Co., Inc. Project, Series A-3, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
New York, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series B-4C, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
New York, NY, General Obligation: | | | |
Series A-3, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
Series L-4, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series D, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
| | |
New York, NY, Health & Hospital Corp., Health System Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue: | | | |
Series DD-3B, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series EE-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series F-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Citibank NA | | | |
Series F1B, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Cuyahoga County, OH, Health Care Facilities Revenue, AM McGregor Home Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Franklin County, OH, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Health Corp., Series D, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
| | | |
| |
Oklahoma, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XM0708, 144A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
| |
Oregon, State Facilities Authority Revenue, Peacehealth Systems: | | | |
Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Lancaster County, PA, Industrial Development Authority, Willow Valley Retirement, Series C, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Lebanon County, PA, Health Facility Authority Revenue, ECC Retirement Village Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority Revenue, Hawley Silk Mill LLC, Recovery Zone Facility, Series A1, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Kingsley Association Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Philadelphia, PA, General Obligation, Series B, 2.18% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| | | |
| |
Rhode Island, State Health & Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility Revenue, Bryant University, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Carolina, State Jobs Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Prisma Healthcare Obligated Group, Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Dakota, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Sioux Vy Hospital & Health Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Greeneville, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Revenue, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater Systems Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Harris County, TX, General Obligation, Series B, TECP, 2.6%, 11/16/2022 | | | |
Harris County, TX, Hospital District Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Christus Health Obligated Group: | | | |
Series C-2, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Series C-1, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Project, Series A, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
| | |
| |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Fletcher Allen Health care, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Landmark College Project, Series A, 1.72% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Loudoun County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Industrial Development Revenue, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Lynchburg, VA, Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Centra Health Obligated Group, Series B, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Truist Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, Combridge Apartments, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, The Evergreen School, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multi-Family Variable Rate Certificates: | | | |
“A” , Series M027, 144A, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M031, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M-055, 144A, MUNIPSA + 0.210%, 2.45% (b), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| | | |
Total Municipal Investments (Cost $145,864,000) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | | |
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $145,864,000) | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | |
| | |
| Variable rate demand notes and variable rate demand preferred shares are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically (usually daily mode or weekly mode) by remarketing agents based on current market levels, and are not directly set as a fixed spread to a reference rate. These securities may be redeemed at par by the holder through a put or tender feature, and are shown at their current rates as of October 31, 2022. Date shown reflects the earlier of demand date or stated maturity date. |
| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. |
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax. |
|
|
|
MUNIPSA: SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield |
SIFMA: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association |
SPA: Standby Bond Purchase Agreement |
TECP: Tax Exempt Commercial Paper |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
| | | | |
Municipal Investments (a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
| |
Receivable for investments sold | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
| |
| |
Other accrued expenses and payables | |
| |
| |
| |
Distributable earnings (loss) | |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,599,411 ÷ 5,591,276 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($81,810,488 ÷ 81,691,833 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($37,533,293 ÷ 37,478,806 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
| |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,955,346 ÷ 5,946,696 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($9,346,402 ÷ 9,332,812 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($6,374,623 ÷ 6,365,367 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Distribution and service fees | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Trustees' fees and expenses | |
| |
Total expenses before expense reductions | |
| |
Total expenses after expense reductions | |
| |
Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
| | |
Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
Financial Highlights
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — Tax-Free Investment Class |
| | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Account Trust (the “Trust” ) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust offers two funds: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio. These financial statements report on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio (the “Fund” ).
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio offers six classes of shares: DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares, DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund, DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S, Service Shares, Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares and Tax-Free Investment Class. The Fund may impose liquidity fees on redemptions and/or temporarily suspend (gate) redemptions if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors.
The financial highlights for all classes of shares, other than Tax-Free Investment Class, are provided separately and are available upon request.
The Fund’s investment income, realized gains and losses, and certain Fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares of the Fund, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Trust have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
The Fund values all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/ amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.
At April 30, 2022, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $6,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $145,864,000.
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income. Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. The Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax basis differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no book-to-tax differences for the Fund.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned pro rata on the basis of relative net assets among the funds in the Trust.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
Management Agreement. Under an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
The monthly management fee for the Fund is computed based on the combined average daily net assets of the two funds of the Trust and allocated to the Fund based on its relative net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million of the Funds’ combined average daily net assets | |
Next $500 million of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Over $3 billion of such net assets | |
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the period from May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Tax-Free Investment Class to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.72%.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
In addition, the Advisor agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The voluntary waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without notice. Under these arrangements, the Advisor waived certain expenses on Tax-Free Investment Class Shares.
In addition, the Advisor also agreed to maintain expenses of certain other classes of the Trust. These rates are disclosed in the respective share classes’ semiannual reports that are provided separately and are available upon request.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
| |
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Administration Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
In addition, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Distribution Service Agreement, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ), calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets for the shares listed in the following table.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) for the shares listed in the following table. A portion of these fees may be paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Service Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” was as follows:
| | Unpaid at October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
Transactions with Affiliates. The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is solely due to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common trustees. During the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Fund engaged in securities purchases of $57,920,000 and securities sales of $71,115,000 with a net gain (loss) on securities sales of $0, with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at October 31, 2022.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
D.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
E.
Money Market Fund Investments and Yield
Rising interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. Although interest rates in the U.S. remain at low levels, they have been rising and are expected to continue to increase in the near future. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund. Increased redemptions from the Fund may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
and impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Conversely, any decline in interest rates is likely to cause the Fund’s yield to decline, and during periods of unusually low or negative interest rates, the Fund’s yield may approach or fall below zero. A low or negative interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and, at times, could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Over time, the total return of a money market fund may not keep pace with inflation, which could result in a net loss of purchasing power for long-term investors. Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities.
F.
Other — COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain interruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The Fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in coordinating a remote workforce and implementing their business continuity plans, among others. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of
investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses for the Tax-Free Investment Class; had it not
done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
—
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.
—
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| Tax-Free Investment Class |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
| Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365. |
| Tax-Free Investment Class |
| |
For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
Other Information
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com as of each month-end. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
—
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
—
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
—
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
—
The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
—
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares) was in the 3rd quartile and 2nd quartile, respectively, of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: Service Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Free Investment Class shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ), noting that DIMA indicated that it does not provide services to any other comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall
| | Tax-Free Investment Class |
profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
CATTEP-3
(R-033440-10 12/22)
October 31, 2022
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S
| |
| |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| |
| Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
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| Notes to Financial Statements |
| Information About Your Fund’s Expenses |
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| Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation |
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, visit dws.com. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in one class of shares of the Fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share prices of all classes of shares of the Fund. Please read the prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio) | | |
Variable Rate Demand Notes | | |
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper | | |
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares | | |
| | |
| | |
Weighted Average Maturity | | |
Cash Account Trust — DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio | | |
iMoneyNet Money Fund Average™ — Tax-Free National Retail* | | |
| The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Money Fund Average category: Tax-Free National Retail — Category includes retail funds that invest in obligations of tax-exempt entities, including state and municipal authorities. |
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 4. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
Investment Portfolioas of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
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Municipal Investments 99.5% | |
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California, East Bay Muncipal Utility District: | | | |
Series A-2, TECP, 2.55%, 12/6/2022 | | | |
Series A-1, TECP, 2.68%, 12/7/2022 | | | |
California, General Obligation: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
California, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Series 1-1362, 144A, AMT, 2.33% (a), 6/1/2041, LIQ: Societe Generale | | | |
California, Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund, 144A, AMT, 2.34% (a), 10/1/2031, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
San Bernardino County, CA, Flood Control District Judgment Obligation, 1.95% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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Connecticut, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XG0204, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
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Delaware, State Economic Development Authority Revenue, YMCA State Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
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Alachua County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Santa Fe Apartments II Project, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, The Nemours Foundation, Series C-2, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Palm Beach County, FL, Henry Morrison Flagler Project Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
| | |
Pinellas County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Suncoast Hospice Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Pinellas County, FL, Housing Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Booker Creek Apartments, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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Georgia, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XF0709, 144A, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Valdosta-Lowndes County, GA, Industrial Development Authority, Martins Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., Series A, AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
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Brookfield, IL, Zoo Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, OSF Healthcare System, Series C, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, The Carle Foundation, Series C, 2.19% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American College Surgeons, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, American Youth Hostels Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, Ignatius College Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Development Finance Authority, YMCA Metropolitan Chicago Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, The Adler Planetarium, 2.41% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Educational Facilities Authority, Columbia College Chicago, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Clearbrook Project, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: BMO Harris Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
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Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Illinois, State Housing Development Authority, Multi-Family Revenue, Woodlawn Apartments, Series A, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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Elkhart County, IN, Multi-Family Revenue, Ashton Pines Apartments, Series A, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Federal Home Loan Bank | | | |
St. Joseph County, IN, Economic Development Revenue, Series 2004, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
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Iowa, Finance Authority, Educational Facility Revenue, Holy Family Catholic School Project, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Iowa, Single-Family Finance Authority, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Midwestern Disaster Area, Series A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority Revenue, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Iowa, State Higher Education Loan Authority, Private College, Loras College, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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Kansas, State Development Finance Authority, Health Facilities, University of Kansas Health System, Series J, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Olathe, KS, Industrial Revenue, Multi Modal Diamant Boart, Series A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Svenska Handelsbanken | | | |
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Boone County, KY, Pollution Control Revenue, Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc., 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
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Louisiana, Public Facilities Authority Revenue, Christus Health, Series B-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Louisiana, State Housing Finance Agency Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Reserve Jefferson Crossing, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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Maryland, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Gaudenzia Foundation, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
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Massachusetts, State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Highway Systems Revenue, Series A-2, 2.37% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Development Finance Agency, College of the Holy Cross, Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
Massachusetts, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Series J-2, 2.12% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
Massachusetts, State Water Resources Authority: | | | |
Series A-1, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Series A-3, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
Massachusetts, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2203, 144A, 2.28% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Toronto-Dominion Bank | | | |
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Mississippi, State Business Finance Commission, Gulf Opportunity Zone, Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Series F, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, GTY: Chevron Corp. | | | |
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Kansas City, MO, Special Obligation, H. Roe Bartle Convention Center, Series E, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Missouri, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, St Louis University: | | | |
Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series B-1, 1.69% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Missouri, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2015-XF2198, 144A, 2.32% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Citibank NA | | | |
Nodaway County, MO, Industrial Development Authority, Educational Facilities Revenue, North West Foundation, Inc., 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Wright City, MO, Industrial Revenue, WaterLow Process Systems, Inc., AMT, 2.4% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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Washington County, NE, Industrial Development Revenue, Cargill, Inc., Series B, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022 | | | |
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Clark County, NV, Airport Systems Revenue, Series D-3, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of America NA | | | |
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New Jersey, State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, AHS Hospital Corp., Series C, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
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New Mexico, State Mortgage Finance Authority, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Villas de San Ignacio LP, Series A, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Freddie Mac | | | |
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New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series E-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 1.6% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Series G-1, 2.21% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Royal Charter Properties, Series A, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
New York, State Energy Research & Development Authority Facilities Revenue, Consolidated Edison Co., Inc. Project, Series A-3, 2.24% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
New York, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Revenue: | | | |
Series B-4C, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
New York, NY, General Obligation: | | | |
Series A-3, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Mizuho Bank Ltd. | | | |
Series L-4, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
Series D, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
| | |
New York, NY, Health & Hospital Corp., Health System Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
New York, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue: | | | |
Series DD-3B, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series EE-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LIQ: State Street B&T Co. | | | |
Series F-2, 1.63% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Citibank NA | | | |
Series F1B, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, SPA: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Cuyahoga County, OH, Health Care Facilities Revenue, AM McGregor Home Project, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Franklin County, OH, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Health Corp., Series D, 2.2% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
| | | |
| |
Oklahoma, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts, Series 2018-XM0708, 144A, AMT, 2.39% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
| |
Oregon, State Facilities Authority Revenue, Peacehealth Systems: | | | |
Series B, 1.61% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Series A, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Lancaster County, PA, Industrial Development Authority, Willow Valley Retirement, Series C, 2.29% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Lebanon County, PA, Health Facility Authority Revenue, ECC Retirement Village Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority Revenue, Hawley Silk Mill LLC, Recovery Zone Facility, Series A1, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing Authority, Economic Development Revenue, Kingsley Association Project, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: PNC Bank NA | | | |
Philadelphia, PA, General Obligation, Series B, 2.18% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
| | | |
| |
Rhode Island, State Health & Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility Revenue, Bryant University, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Carolina, State Jobs Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Prisma Healthcare Obligated Group, Series B, 1.64% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
South Dakota, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Sioux Vy Hospital & Health Revenue, Series B, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Greeneville, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Revenue, Series B, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: U.S. Bank NA | | | |
| |
Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater Systems Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Barclays Bank PLC | | | |
Harris County, TX, General Obligation, Series B, TECP, 2.6%, 11/16/2022 | | | |
Harris County, TX, Hospital District Revenue, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Christus Health Obligated Group: | | | |
Series C-2, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Bank of NY Mellon | | | |
Series C-1, 2.25% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking | | | |
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Project, Series A, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
| | |
| |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Fletcher Allen Health care, 2.23% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing Agency Revenue, Landmark College Project, Series A, 1.72% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: TD Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Loudoun County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Industrial Development Revenue, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Project, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Northern Trust Company | | | |
Lynchburg, VA, Economic Development Authority, Hospital Revenue, Centra Health Obligated Group, Series B, 1.62% (a), 11/1/2022, LOC: Truist Bank | | | |
| | | |
| |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, Combridge Apartments, 2.22% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Fannie Mae, LOC: Fannie Mae | | | |
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, The Evergreen School, 2.3% (a), 11/7/2022, LOC: Wells Fargo Bank NA | | | |
| | | |
| |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multi-Family Variable Rate Certificates: | | | |
“A” , Series M027, 144A, 2.26% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M031, 144A, 2.27% (a), 11/7/2022, LIQ: Freddie Mac | | | |
“A” , Series M-055, 144A, MUNIPSA + 0.210%, 2.45% (b), 11/7/2022 | | | |
| | | |
Total Municipal Investments (Cost $145,864,000) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | | |
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $145,864,000) | | |
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net | | |
| | |
| Variable rate demand notes and variable rate demand preferred shares are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically (usually daily mode or weekly mode) by remarketing agents based on current market levels, and are not directly set as a fixed spread to a reference rate. These securities may be redeemed at par by the holder through a put or tender feature, and are shown at their current rates as of October 31, 2022. Date shown reflects the earlier of demand date or stated maturity date. |
| Floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of October 31, 2022. |
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. |
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax. |
|
|
|
MUNIPSA: SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield |
SIFMA: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association |
SPA: Standby Bond Purchase Agreement |
TECP: Tax Exempt Commercial Paper |
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2022 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
| | | | |
Municipal Investments (a) | | | | |
| | | | |
| See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
Investments in securities, valued at amortized cost | |
| |
Receivable for investments sold | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | |
| |
| |
Other accrued expenses and payables | |
| |
| |
| |
Distributable earnings (loss) | |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (continued)
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,599,411 ÷ 5,591,276 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($81,810,488 ÷ 81,691,833 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($37,533,293 ÷ 37,478,806 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
| |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($5,955,346 ÷ 5,946,696 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($9,346,402 ÷ 9,332,812 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($6,374,623 ÷ 6,365,367 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Distribution and service fees | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Trustees' fees and expenses | |
| |
Total expenses before expense reductions | |
| |
Total expenses after expense reductions | |
| |
Net realized gain (loss) from investments | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
| Six Months
Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
| | |
Proceeds from shares sold | | |
Reinvestment of distributions | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
Net assets at beginning of period | | |
Net assets at end of period | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
Financial Highlights
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio — DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
| | |
| | | | | | |
|
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from investment operations: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data |
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%) | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (%) | | | | | | |
| Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced. |
| Amount is less than $.0005. |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Account Trust (the “Trust” ) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust offers two funds: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio. These financial statements report on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio (the “Fund” ).
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio offers six classes of shares: DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares, DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund, DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S, Service Shares, Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares and Tax-Free Investment Class. The Fund may impose liquidity fees on redemptions and/or temporarily suspend (gate) redemptions if the Fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors.
The financial highlights for all classes of shares, other than DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S, are provided separately and are available upon request.
The Fund’s investment income, realized gains and losses, and certain Fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares of the Fund, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Trust have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
The Fund values all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/ amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.
At April 30, 2022, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $6,000 of short-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had an aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes of $145,864,000.
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income. Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. The Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax basis differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no book-to-tax differences for the Fund.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned pro rata on the basis of relative net assets among the funds in the Trust.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
Management Agreement. Under an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
The monthly management fee for the Fund is computed based on the combined average daily net assets of the two funds of the Trust and allocated to the Fund based on its relative net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million of the Funds’ combined average daily net assets | |
Next $500 million of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Next $1 billion of such net assets | |
Over $3 billion of such net assets | |
Accordingly, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement on DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.093% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the period from May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.48%.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
In addition, the Advisor agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The voluntary waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without notice. Under these arrangements, the Advisor waived certain expenses on DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S.
In addition, the Advisor also agreed to maintain expenses of certain other classes of the Trust. These rates are disclosed in the respective share classes’ semiannual reports that are provided separately and are available upon request.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | |
| |
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Administration Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio: | | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
| | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | |
| | |
In addition, for the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:
| |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | |
| |
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Distribution Service Agreement, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ), calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets for the shares listed in the following table.
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) for the shares listed in the following table. A portion of these fees may be paid pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Service Fee was as follows:
| | Unpaid at
October 31, 2022 | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended October 31, 2022, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” was as follows:
| | Unpaid at October 31, 2022 |
| | |
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
Transactions with Affiliates. The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is solely due to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common trustees. During the six months ended October 31, 2022, the Fund engaged in securities purchases of $57,920,000 and securities sales of $71,115,000 with a net gain (loss) on securities sales of $0, with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at October 31, 2022.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
D.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio
| Six Months Ended
October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
| Six Months Ended October 31, 2022 | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
|
DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares | | | | |
DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund | | | | |
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | | | |
| | | | |
Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares | | | | |
Tax-Free Investment Class | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
E.
Money Market Fund Investments and Yield
Rising interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. Although interest rates in the U.S. remain at low levels, they have been rising and are expected to continue to increase in the near future. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund. Increased redemptions from the Fund may force the Fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
and impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Conversely, any decline in interest rates is likely to cause the Fund’s yield to decline, and during periods of unusually low or negative interest rates, the Fund’s yield may approach or fall below zero. A low or negative interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and, at times, could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Over time, the total return of a money market fund may not keep pace with inflation, which could result in a net loss of purchasing power for long-term investors. Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities.
F.
Other — COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain interruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve, including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The Fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in coordinating a remote workforce and implementing their business continuity plans, among others. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of
investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses for the DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S;
had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
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Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.
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Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
| DWS
Tax-Free Money
Fund Class S |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return | |
Beginning Account Value 5/1/22 | |
Ending Account Value 10/31/22 | |
Expenses Paid per $1,000* | |
| Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365. |
| DWS
Tax-Free Money
Fund Class S |
| |
For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
Other Information
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com as of each month-end. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Trustees” ) approved the renewal of DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
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During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Trustees” ).
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The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the “Fee Consultant” ).
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The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
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The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
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In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s gross performance (DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares) was in the 3rd quartile and 2nd quartile, respectively, of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). Based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, the Board noted that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder administration fees, if applicable) were lower than the median of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) for the following share classes: Service Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Cash Premier Shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Free Investment Class shares (2nd quartile), Tax-Exempt Cash Managed Shares (2nd quartile), DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund shares (2nd quartile) and DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S shares (2nd quartile). The Board noted the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA from time to time in recent years to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ), noting that DIMA indicated that it does not provide services to any other comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall
| | DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S |
profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s investment management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
DWS Tax-Free Money Fund Class S | | |
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
DTFMF-3
(R-033439-10 12/22)
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| (b) Not applicable |
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ITEM 2. | CODE OF ETHICS |
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| Not applicable. |
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ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
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| There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board. The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600. |
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ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
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| (a) | The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report. |
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| (b) | There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting. |
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ITEM 12. | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
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| Not applicable |
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ITEM 13. | EXHIBITS |
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| (a)(1) | Not applicable |
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| (a)(2) | Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT. |
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| (b) | Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Registrant: | DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio and DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio, each a series of Cash Account Trust |
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By: | /s/Hepsen Uzcan Hepsen Uzcan President |
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Date: | 12/29/2022 |
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/Hepsen Uzcan Hepsen Uzcan President |
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Date: | 12/29/2022 |
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By: | /s/Diane Kenneally Diane Kenneally Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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Date: | 12/29/2022 |