As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2026
1933
Act File No. 033-11387
1940
Act File No. 811-04984
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ | |
| Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ☐ | |
| Post-Effective Amendment No. 447 | ☒ | |
| and/or | ||
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ | |
| Amendment No. 447 | ☒ | |
| (Check appropriate box or boxes.) |
(Exact Name of Registrant
as Specified in Charter)
220
East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200
Irving,
Texas 75039
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s
Telephone Number, including Area Code: (817) 391-6100
Gregory
J. Stumm, President
220
East Las Colinas Boulevard
Suite
1200
Irving,
Texas 75039
(Name
and Address of Agent for Service)
With
copies to:
Kathy
K. Ingber, Esq.
K&L
Gates LLP
1601
K Street, NW
Washington,
D.C. 20006-1600
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
| ☐ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☒ | on August 1, 2026 pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☐ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| ☐ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box:
| ☐ | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
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American Beacon
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Share Class
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A
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C
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Y
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R6
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R5
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Investor
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American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (formerly, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund)
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ADLAX
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ADLCX
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ADLYX
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ADLIX
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ADLPX
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American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
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BILDX
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BILRX
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BILTX
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Back Cover
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American Beacon
DoubleLine Floating Rate FundSM(formerly, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund) |
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Share Class
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A
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C
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Y
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R5
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Investor
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Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
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Maximum deferred sales charge (as a percentage of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)
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Share Class
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A
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C
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Y
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R5
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Investor
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Management Fees
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
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Other Expenses2,3
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses4
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Fee Waiver and/or expense reimbursement5
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(
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(
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(
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(
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(
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
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| 1 |
| 2 |
| 3 | Other Expenses include 0.04% of loan interest expenses. |
| 4 |
| 5 | American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund’s A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, and Investor Class shares, as applicable, through |
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Share Class
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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A
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$
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$
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$
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$
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C
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$
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$
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$
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$
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Y
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$
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$
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$
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$
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R5
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$
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$
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$
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$
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Investor
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$
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$
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$
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$
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Share Class
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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C
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$
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$
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$
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$
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Recent Market Events Risk. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, during periods of significant volatility, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased. National economies are substantially interconnected, as are global financial markets, which creates the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. However, the interconnectedness of economies and/or markets may be changing, which may impact such economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen at this time.
Some countries, including the U.S., have adopted more protectionist trade policies, including trade tariffs and other trade barriers, which is a trend that appears to be continuing globally. The economies of all nations, including the U.S., are subject to the risks of slowing global economic growth, protectionist trade policies, inflationary pressures, limits imposed by international trade and security agreements, political or economic dysfunction, poor consumer sentiment, and reduced demand for goods due to fluctuating commodity prices and currency values, and these risks may create significant market volatility in ways that cannot be foreseen at the present time. These economic risks could have a negative impact on the Fund’s investments. The U.S. Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have started to lower interest rates, though economic or other factors could stop or reverse such changes. It is difficult to accurately predict the various economic and political factors that influence the pace at which interest rates might change, the timing, frequency or magnitude of any such changes in interest rates, or when such changes might stop or again reverse course. Changes in interest rates could lead to an economic slowdown in the U.S. and abroad, significant market volatility and reduced liquidity in certain sectors of the market. Tensions, war, or open conflict between nations, such as among the United States, Israel and Iran, between Russia and Ukraine, otherwise in the Middle East or in eastern Asia could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States and may contribute to increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets. The extent and duration of ongoing hostilities and related sanctions and the repercussions of such events cannot be predicted. Those events have presented and could continue to present material uncertainty and risk with respect to markets globally, including in the oil and gas markets and potentially other industries and sectors, and the performance of the Fund and its investments or operations could be negatively impacted. Advancements in technology, including advanced development and increased regulation of artificial intelligence, may adversely impact market movements and liquidity. As artificial intelligence is used more widely, which can occur relatively rapidly, the profitability and growth of certain issuers and industries may be negatively impacted in ways that cannot be foreseen and could adversely impact issuer and market performance. As a consequence, the Fund’s holdings and its overall performance could be negatively impacted. Global climate change may affect property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change in ways that cannot be foreseen. The impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences that may not be foreseen, may negatively impact certain issuers, industries and regions. |
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Adjustable Rate Mortgages (“ARMs”) Risk. ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, many ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on an ARM, any excess interest is added to the principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess is used to reduce the then-outstanding principal balance of the ARM. In addition, certain ARMs may provide for an initial fixed, below-market or teaser interest rate. During this initial fixed-rate period, the payment due from the related mortgagor may be less than that of a traditional loan. However, after
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the teaser rate expires, the monthly payment required to be made by the mortgagor may increase significantly when the interest rate on the mortgage loan adjusts. This increased burden on the mortgagor may increase the risk of delinquency or default on the mortgage loan and in turn, losses on the mortgage-backed security into which that loan has been bundled.
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Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (“CMOs”) Risk. CMOs, including real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), may offer a higher yield than U.S. government securities, but they may also be subject to greater price fluctuation and credit risk. In addition, CMOs typically will be issued in a variety of classes or series, which have different maturities and are retired in sequence. In the event of a default by an issuer of a CMO, there is no assurance that the collateral securing such CMO will be sufficient to pay principal and interest. It is possible that there will be limited opportunities for trading CMOs in the OTC market, the depth and liquidity of which will vary from time to time.
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Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. Because ETFs are listed on an exchange, they may be subject to trading halts, may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (“NAV”) and may not be liquid. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of that index, and an actively-managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Future legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in taxation, could impact the operation of ETFs.
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Government Money Market Funds Risk. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk.
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Inception Date of Class
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Y Class
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Returns Before Taxes
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Returns After Taxes on Distributions
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Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sales of Fund Shares
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Inception Date of Class
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Share Class (Before Taxes)
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Investor
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
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Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index
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-
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S&P UBS Leveraged Loan Index
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DoubleLine Capital LP
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Robert Cohen
Director of Global Developed Credit at DoubleLine Capital Portfolio Manager Since 2013* |
Philip Kenney
Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine Capital Portfolio Manager Since 2018* |
| * | Includes Predecessor Fund. |
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Internet
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www.americanbeaconfunds.com
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Phone
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To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class only)
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Mail
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American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
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Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219643
Kansas City, MO 64105-1307
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New Account
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Existing Account
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Share Class
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Minimum Initial Investment Amount
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Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
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Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
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C
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$1,000
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$50
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$250
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A, Investor
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$2,500
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$50
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$250
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Y
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$100,000
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$50
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None
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R5
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$250,000
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$50
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None
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American Beacon
DoubleLine Select Income FundSM |
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Share Class
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Y
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R6
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Investor
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Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
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Maximum deferred sales charge (as a percentage of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)
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Share Class
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Y
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R6
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Investor
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Management Fees
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
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Other Expenses1
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses1
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2
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Fee Waiver and/or expense reimbursement3
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(
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(
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(
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
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| 1 |
| 2 |
| 3 | American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund’s Y Class, R6 Class and Investor Class shares, as applicable, through |
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Share Class
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1 Year
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3 Years
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Y
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$
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$
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R6
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$
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$
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Investor
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$
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$
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by companies or other issuers to finance (or re-finance) the ownership, development, construction, maintenance, renovation, enhancement, or operation of infrastructure assets;
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by companies or other issuers that invest in, own, lease or hold infrastructure assets; and
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by companies or other issuers that operate infrastructure assets or provide services, products or raw materials related to the development, construction, maintenance, renovation, enhancement or operation of infrastructure assets.
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transportation (e.g., airports, metro systems, subways, railroads, ports, toll roads);
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transportation equipment (e.g., shipping, aircraft, railcars, containers);
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electric utilities and power (e.g., power generation, transmission and distribution);
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energy (e.g., exploration and production, pipeline, storage, refining and distribution of energy), including renewable energies (e.g., wind, solar, hydro, geothermal);
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communication networks and equipment (e.g., cell towers, fibers, data centers);
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water and sewage treatment;
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social infrastructure (e.g., health care facilities, government buildings and other public service facilities); and
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metals, mining, and other resources and services related to infrastructure assets (e.g., cement, chemical companies).
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Equipment
Trust Certificates (“ETCs”) and
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETCs”) Risk. ETCs
and EETCs are types of asset-backed securities that generally represent undivided fractional interests in a trust whose
assets consist of a pool of equipment retail installment contracts or leased equipment. EETCs are similar to ETCs, except
that the securities have been divided into two or more classes, each with different payment priorities and asset claims.
ETCs and EETCs are typically issued by specially-created trusts established by airlines, railroads, or other transportation
firms. The assets of ETCs and EETCs are used to purchase equipment, such as airplanes, railroad cars, or other equipment,
which may in turn serve as collateral for the related issue of the ETCs or EETCs, and the title to such equipment is held
in trust for the holders of the issue. The equipment generally is leased from the specially-created trust by the airline,
railroad or other firm, which makes rental or lease payments to the specially-created trust to provide cash flow for payments
to ETC and EETC holders. Holders of ETCs and EETCs must look to the collateral securing the certificates, typically together
with a guarantee provided by the lessee firm or its parent company for the payment of lease obligations, in the case of
default in the payment of principal and interest on the ETCs or EETCs. ETCs and EETCs are subject to the risk that the
lessee or payee defaults on its payments, and risks related to potential declines in the value of the equipment that serves
as collateral for the issue. ETCs and EETCs are generally regarded as obligations of the company that is leasing the equipment
and may be shown as liabilities in its balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. The lessee company, however, does not own the equipment until all the certificates are redeemed and paid.
In the event the company defaults under its lease, the trustee may terminate the lease. If another lessee is not available,
then payments on the certificates would cease until another lessee is available.
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Futures Contracts Risk. Futures contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks, such as liquidity risk and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes. There also can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that the Fund has previously bought or sold, and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes, which will increase the volatility of the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract). The Fund may invest in the following types of futures contracts:
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•
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Interest Rate Futures Contracts Risk. Interest rate futures contracts expose the Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates. The Fund could suffer a loss if interest rates rise after the Fund has purchased an interest rate futures contract or fall after the Fund has sold an interest rate futures contract.
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•
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Treasury Futures Contracts Risk. Treasury futures contracts expose the Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates and to potential losses if interest rates do not move as expected.
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Structured Notes Risk. Structured notes are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or interest payments linked to the value of a commodity, a foreign currency, an index of securities, an interest rate, or other financial indicators (“reference instruments”). The payments on a structured note may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared to a fixed interest rate, the exchange rates between two currencies, one or more securities or a securities or commodities index. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The movement of such factors may cause significant price fluctuations. A structured note may be positively or negatively indexed. Structured notes are subject to interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity risk and counterparty risk. They are also subject to credit risk with respect both to the issuer and, if applicable, to the underlying security or borrower. Structured notes may have a limited trading market, making it difficult to value them or sell them at an acceptable price.
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Transportation: transportation-related infrastructure assets may be adversely affected by, among other things, economic and market changes, fuel prices, labor relations, geo-political concerns and insurance costs. Transportation-related infrastructure assets and related businesses may also be subject to significant government regulation and oversight, which may adversely affect their businesses.
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Electric Utilities and Power: utility- and power-related infrastructure assets may have difficulty obtaining financing during periods of inflation or unsettled capital markets; may be subject to greater competition as a result of deregulation; face changes in climate or environmental policy; face restrictions on operations and increased cost and delays attributable to environmental considerations and regulation; find that existing plants, equipment or products have been rendered obsolete by technological innovations; or be subject to increased costs because of the scarcity of certain fuels or the effects of man-made or natural disasters.
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Energy: energy-related infrastructure assets may be adversely affected by one or more of the following: the levels and volatility of global energy prices, energy supply and demand, capital expenditures on exploration and production of energy sources, energy conservation efforts, exchange rates, interest rates, economic conditions, tax treatment, increased competition, government regulation, technological advances, risk of liability from accidents resulting in injury or loss of life or property, supply of products and services, and world events.
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Renewable Energy: renewable-energy related infrastructure assets may be adversely affected by changes in government policy relating to incentives and subsidies for renewable energy assets, technological developments (or the application thereof), unforeseen technical deficiencies with installations, and the reliance of any renewable energy project, or group of projects, on variable resources.
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Communication Networks and Equipment: infrastructure assets in the telecommunications sector may be adversely affected by increased competition, regulation by various regulatory authorities, distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, technological advances, limited availability of franchise and licensing rights, and high barriers to market entry. Various forms of cyber attack threaten communication networks and could severely hamper any infrastructure project dependent upon communication networks and equipment.
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Public and Social Infrastructure: public and social infrastructure assets, such as hospitals, schools, government accommodations, and other public service facilities projects, may be subject to risks that include, but are not limited to, costs associated with governmental, environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdowns, increased competition from other providers of such services, uncertainties concerning costs, adverse political developments, and the level of government spending on infrastructure projects.
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Metals and Mining: investments in metals and mining related infrastructure assets may be speculative and subject to greater price volatility than investments in other types of companies. The performance of assets in this sector is related to, among other things, worldwide metal prices, and extraction and production costs.
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Industrial: industrial-related infrastructure assets may be adversely affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general. Government regulation, world events, exchange rates and economic conditions, changes or trends in commodity prices, technological developments and liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities will likewise affect the performance of these assets and their ability to repay their debts.
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Recent Market Events Risk. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, during periods of significant volatility, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased. National economies are substantially interconnected, as are global financial markets, which creates the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. However, the interconnectedness of economies and/or markets may be changing, which may impact such economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen at this time.
Some countries, including the U.S., have adopted more protectionist trade policies, including trade tariffs and other trade barriers, which is a trend that appears to be continuing globally. The economies of all nations, including the U.S., are subject to the risks of slowing global economic growth, protectionist trade policies, inflationary pressures, limits imposed by international trade and security agreements, political or economic dysfunction, poor consumer sentiment, and reduced demand for goods due to fluctuating commodity prices and currency values, and these risks may create significant market volatility in ways that cannot be foreseen at the present time. These economic risks could have a negative impact on the Fund’s investments. The U.S. Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have started to lower interest rates, though economic or other factors could stop or reverse such changes. It is difficult to accurately predict the various economic and political factors that influence the pace at which interest rates might change, the timing, frequency or magnitude of any such changes in interest rates, or when such changes might stop or again reverse course. Changes in interest rates could lead to an economic slowdown in the U.S. and abroad, significant market volatility and reduced liquidity in certain sectors of the market. Tensions, war, or open conflict between nations, such as among the United States, Israel and Iran, between Russia and Ukraine, otherwise in the Middle East or in eastern Asia could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States and may contribute to increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets. The extent and duration of ongoing hostilities and related sanctions and the repercussions of such events cannot be predicted. Those events have presented and could continue to present material uncertainty and risk with respect to markets globally, including in the oil and gas markets and potentially other industries and sectors, and the performance of the Fund and its investments or operations could be negatively impacted. Advancements in technology, including advanced development and increased regulation of artificial intelligence, may adversely impact market movements and liquidity. As artificial intelligence is used more widely, which can occur relatively rapidly, the profitability and growth of certain issuers and industries may be negatively impacted in ways that cannot be foreseen and could adversely impact issuer and market performance. As a consequence, the Fund’s holdings and its overall performance could be negatively impacted. Global climate change may affect property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change in ways that cannot be foreseen. The impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences that may not be foreseen, may negatively impact certain issuers, industries and regions. |
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Mortgage Pass-Through Securities Risk. Mortgage pass-through securities provide for the “pass through” of the monthly payments made by individual borrowers on their residential or commercial mortgage loans, net of any fees by the security issuer and guarantor, as applicable, to the holder of the security. Mortgage pass-through securities are sensitive to interest rate changes, and small movements in interest rates, both increases and decreases, may quickly and significantly affect the value of certain mortgage pass-through securities. Mortgage pass-through securities involve interest rate risk, credit risk, prepayment risk and extension risk.
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Closed-end Funds Risk. Because closed-end funds may be listed on an exchange, they may be subject to trading halts, may trade at a discount or premium to their NAV and may not be liquid. The lack of an active trading market or the halting of trading in the shares of closed-end funds in which the Fund invests may result in losses to the Fund.
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Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. Because ETFs are listed on an exchange, they may be subject to trading halts, may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (“NAV”) and may not be liquid. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of that index, and an actively-managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Future legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in taxation, could impact the operation of ETFs.
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Government Money Market Funds Risk. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that rising interest rates could cause the value of such an investment to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, may fail or become less able or unwilling, to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations, or that it may default completely.
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Inception Date of Class
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1 Year
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5 Years
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Since Inception
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Y Class
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Returns Before Taxes
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Returns After Taxes on Distributions
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Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sales of Fund Shares
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Inception Date of Class
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1 Year
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5 Years
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Since Inception (04/01/2016)
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Share Class (Before Taxes)
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Investor
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1 Year
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5 Years
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Since Inception (04/01/2016)
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Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
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Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index
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-
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DoubleLine Capital LP
|
Andrew Hsu, CFA
Portfolio Manager Since Fund Inception (2016)* |
Damien Contes, CFA
Portfolio Manager Since Fund Inception (2016)* |
| * | Predecessor Fund inception date. |
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Internet
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www.americanbeaconfunds.com
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Phone
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To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class only)
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Mail
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American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
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Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219643
Kansas City, MO 64105-1307
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New Account
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Existing Account
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Share Class
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Minimum
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Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
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Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
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Y
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$100,000
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$50
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None
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R6
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None
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$50
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None
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Investor
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$2,500
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$50
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$250
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The American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income consistent with strong risk-adjusted returns.
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The American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term total return while striving to generate current income.
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develops overall investment strategies for each Fund,
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selects and changes sub-advisors,
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allocates assets among sub-advisors,
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monitors and evaluates the sub-advisor’s investment performance,
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monitors the sub-advisor’s compliance with the Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions,
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oversees the Funds’ securities lending activities and actions taken by the securities lending agent to the extent applicable, and
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directs the investment of the portion of Fund assets that the sub-advisor determines should be allocated to short-term investments.
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ETFs. A Fund may purchase shares of ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock, and passive ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. Typically, a Fund will purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, a Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses, in addition to a Fund’s own fees and expenses.
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Government Money Market Funds. A Fund may invest cash balances in government money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including a government money market fund advised by the Manager, with respect to which the Manager also receives a management fee. If a Fund invests in government money market funds, a Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees of the government money market funds in which a Fund invests, such as advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with a Fund’s own operations. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with government money market funds and the portfolio investments of such government money market funds, including the risk that a government money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that a Fund would have received from other investments that provide liquidity. Investments in government money market funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.
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Futures Contracts. A futures contract is a contract to purchase or sell a particular asset, or the cash value of an asset, such as a security, commodity, currency or an index of such assets, at a specified future date, at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. Under many such contracts, no delivery of the actual underlying asset is required. Rather, upon the expiration of the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of the asset (e.g., a security or an index) at expiration, net of initial and variation margin that was previously paid. A Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its settlement or collateral obligations. The risks associated with the use of futures contracts also include that there may be an imperfect correlation between the changes in market value of the futures contracts and the assets underlying such contracts, and that there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract. A Fund may, from time to time, use futures contracts to equitize cash and expose its portfolio to changes in index prices. This can magnify gains and losses in a Fund. A Fund may invest in the following types of futures contracts:
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Interest Rate Futures Contracts. An interest rate futures contract is a contract for the future delivery of an interest-bearing debt security.
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Treasury Futures Contracts. A Treasury futures contract is a contract for the future delivery of a U.S. Treasury security.
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Structured Notes. Structured notes are specially-designed derivative debt instruments that may be issued directly by an issuer or special purpose vehicle. The terms of the instrument may be determined or structured by the purchaser and the issuer of the note. Payments of principal or interest on these notes may be linked to the value of an index (such as a currency or securities index), one or more securities, a commodity or the financial performance of one or more third-party borrowers. The value of these notes will normally rise or fall in response to the changes in the performance of the underlying security, index, currency or commodity, or the financial condition of such borrowers.
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Bank Loans and Senior Loans. Bank loans are fixed and floating rate loans arranged through private negotiations between a company or a non-U.S. government and one or more financial institutions (lenders). A Fund may invest in senior loans, which are floating rate loans, sometimes referred to as adjustable rate loans that hold a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Under normal circumstances, senior loans have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. The proceeds of senior loans primarily are used to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, refinancings and internal growth and for other corporate purposes. Senior loans typically have rates of interest that are redetermined daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium or credit spread. Bank loans and senior loans may be collateralized or uncollateralized, and even collateralized loans may not be fully collateralized, and the collateral may be unavailable or insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower. They typically pay interest at rates that float above, or are adjusted periodically based on, a benchmark that reflects current interest rates. Some of the loans in which a Fund may invest or obtain exposure to may be “covenant-lite” loans. Covenant-lite loans may contain fewer, or no maintenance covenants compared to other loans and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. A Fund may invest in loans in the form of participations in loans and assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. Loan participations typically represent direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the
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credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, the purchaser ‘s rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and, in any event, a Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral. A participation typically results in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest, not with the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations in such instruments, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and a Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, a Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation. When a Fund purchases assignments from lenders, it will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan.
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Corporate Debt and Other Fixed-Income Securities. Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations. Corporate debt securities include bonds, notes, debentures and commercial paper issued by companies to investors with a promise to repay the principal amount invested at maturity, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including companies of all market capitalizations. Corporate debt may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may carry fixed or floating rates of interest. Corporate bonds typically carry a set interest or coupon rate, while commercial paper is commonly issued at a discount to par with no coupon. The perceived ability of the company to meet its principal and interest payment obligations is referred to as its creditworthiness, and it may be supplemented by collateral securing the company’s obligations. Debentures are unsecured, medium- to long-term debt securities protected only by the general creditworthiness of the issuer, not by collateral. Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of their issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from a developing market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities.
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Debt Securities of Supranational Organizations. Supranational organizations are entities designated or supported by a government or governmental group to promote economic development. Supranational organizations have no taxing authority and are dependent on their members for payments of interest and principal. Obligations of a supranational entity may be denominated in foreign currencies.
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Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities. A Fund may enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities, which are sometimes referred to as unfunded commitment agreements. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowing arrangements in which a lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that, as the borrower repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment is again made available to the borrower under the facility, whereas, in the case of a delayed funding loan, such amounts may not be “re-borrowed.” The borrower may at any time borrow and repay amounts so long as, in the aggregate, at any given time the amount borrowed does not exceed the maximum amount established by the loan agreement. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest. A Fund may invest in delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. A Fund may treat delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities for which there is no readily available market as illiquid for purposes of a Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are considered to be debt securities for purposes of a Fund’s investment restriction relating to making loans. Participation interests in revolving credit facilities will be subject to the limitations discussed above regarding participations in Bank Loans and Senior Loans.
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Frontier and Emerging Markets Debt. A Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in debt securities associated with a particular geographic region or country, including frontier and emerging markets. A Fund may consider a country to be a frontier or emerging market country based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, if the country is classified as a frontier, emerging or developing economy by any supranational organization such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation or the United Nations, or related entities, or if the country is considered a frontier or emerging market country for purposes of constructing frontier or emerging market indices. The countries that comprise frontier or emerging markets change from time to time. Frontier market countries are a sub-set of emerging market countries with smaller, newer and/or less developed economies; less developed, less liquid and/or lower-capitalization capital markets; and less developed political and legal systems than those of the more developed, “traditional” emerging markets. These countries typically are located in the Asia-Pacific region, Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Africa. Frontier markets may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in the developed and emerging markets of the world.
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Government-Sponsored Enterprises and U.S. Government Agencies. A Fund may invest in debt obligations of U.S. government agencies, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae” or “GNMA”) and Export-Import Bank of the United States (“ExImBank”) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”), and government-sponsored enterprises, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”), Federal Home Loan Bank system (“FHLBs”) and the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation (“FFCB”). Although chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, debt obligations issued by such entities, other than Ginnie Mae and ExImBank, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Debt obligations issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Farmer Mac, FHLBs, and FFCB and TVA are supported by the issuers’ right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, the discretionary authority of the U.S. Treasury to lend to the issuers and the U.S. Treasury’s authority to purchase the issuer’s securities.
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High-Yield Bonds. High yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. High yield bonds are considered speculative by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch, Inc. rate them below Baa3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see “Appendix C Ratings Definitions“ in the SAI for an explanation of the ratings applied to high yield bonds. High yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their low credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to additional risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in a Fund.
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Inflation Index-Linked Securities. Inflation index-linked securities, also known as inflation-protected securities, are fixed income instruments structured such that their interest and principal payments are adjusted to increase and decrease with changes in official inflation rates. In periods of deflation when the inflation rate is declining, the principal value of an inflation index-linked security will be adjusted downward. This will result in a decrease in the interest payments.
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U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities may include U.S. Treasury securities and securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and securities issued by other U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government
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and that issue obligations which may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury obligations include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Bonds. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.
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Municipal Securities. Municipal securities are debt obligations that are exempt from federal, state and/or local income taxes that generally are issued to raise funding for various public purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for a specific project or public facility. Municipal securities may be fully or partially backed by the taxing authority of the local government, by the credit of a private issuer, by the current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or by domestic or foreign entities providing credit support, such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance, and are generally classified into general obligation bonds and special revenue obligations. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith and credit including, if available, its taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and various regional or special districts. Revenue bonds are secured only by a specific revenue source. Although the security behind revenue bonds varies widely, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund which may also be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer’s obligations. In addition, some revenue obligations (as well as general obligations) are insured by a bond insurance company or backed by a letter of credit issued by a banking institution.
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Restricted Securities. Restricted securities, which include private placements of private and public companies, are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on their resale. Restricted securities may be difficult to sell at the time and price a portfolio prefers. Restricted securities include securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers initially offered and sold outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. A Fund may incur additional expense and delay when disposing of restricted securities, including all or a portion of the cost to register the securities. A Fund also may acquire securities through private placement transactions under which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities that are in addition to applicable legal restrictions. In addition, if the Manager and/or the sub-advisor, if applicable, receives non-public information about the issuer, a Fund may as a result be unable to sell the securities.
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Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Debt. Sovereign debt securities are typically issued or guaranteed by national governments or their agencies, authorities, instrumentalities, political subdivisions, or by a supranational organization, in order to finance the issuing country’s growth and/or budget. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations. Investing in foreign sovereign debt securities will expose a Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the debt securities. Quasi-sovereign debt securities are debt securities issued by entities that are fully or partially government owned or controlled. Quasi-sovereign debt typically is not guaranteed by a sovereign entity.
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U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities may include U.S. Treasury securities and securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and securities issued by other U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government and that issue obligations which may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury obligations include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Bonds. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.
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Adjustable Rate Mortgages. Adjustable rate mortgage securities (“ARMs”), like traditional mortgage-backed securities, are interests in pools of mortgage loans that provide investors with payments consisting of both principal and interest as mortgage loans in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the
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borrowers. Unlike fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, ARMs are collateralized by or represent interests in mortgage loans with variable rates of interest. These interest rates are reset at periodic intervals, usually by reference to an interest rate index or market interest rate. Although the rate adjustment feature may act as a buffer to reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, these securities are still subject to changes in value based on, among other things, changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness. Because the interest rates are reset only periodically, changes in the interest rate on ARMs may lag changes in prevailing market interest rates. Also, some ARMs (or the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors that limit the maximum change in the interest rate during a specified period or over the life of the security. As a result, changes in the interest rate on an ARM may not fully reflect changes in prevailing market interest rates during certain periods.
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CMOs and REMICs. CMOs and interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) are debt securities collateralized by mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities. A CMO is a hybrid between a mortgage-backed bond and a mortgage pass-through security. CMOs divide the cash flow generated from the underlying mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities into different groups referred to as “tranches,” which are then retired sequentially over time in order of priority. Under the traditional CMO structure, the cash flows generated by the mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities in the collateral pool are used to first pay interest and then pay principal to the CMO bondholders. The bonds issued under such a CMO structure are retired sequentially as opposed to the pro-rata return of principal found in traditional pass-through obligations. Subject to the various provisions of individual CMO issues, the cash flow generated by the underlying collateral (to the extent it exceeds the amount required to pay the stated interest) is used to retire the bonds. Under the CMO structure, the repayment of principal among the different tranches is prioritized in accordance with the terms of the particular CMO issuance. The “fastest pay” tranche of bonds would initially receive all principal payments. When that tranche of bonds is retired, the subsequent tranches specified in the CMO prospectus receive all of the principal payments until they are retired. The sequential retirement of tranches continues until the last tranche is retired. CMOs also issue sequential and parallel pay classes, including planned amortization and target amortization classes, and fixed and floating rate CMO tranches. Parallel pay CMOs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class, concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. Sequential pay CMOs generally pay principal to only one class at a time while paying interest to several classes.
CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and their income streams. The issuers of CMOs are structured as trusts or corporations established for the purpose of issuing such CMOs and often have no assets other than those underlying the securities and any credit support provided. A REMIC is a mortgage securities vehicle that holds residential or commercial mortgages and issues securities representing interests in those mortgages. A REMIC may be formed as a corporation, partnership, or trust. A REMIC itself is generally exempt from federal income tax, but the income from its mortgages is taxable to its investors. For investment purposes, interests in REMIC securities are virtually indistinguishable from CMOs. |
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Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Mortgage pass-through securities are securities representing interests in “pools” of mortgages in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are generally made monthly, in effect “passing through” monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the residential mortgage loans that underlie the securities (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). They are issued by governmental, government-related and private organizations which are backed by pools of mortgage loans. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, as in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA, or guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, as in the case of securities guaranteed by FNMA or FHLMC, which are supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations. Mortgage pass-through securities created by nongovernmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities, private insurers or the mortgage poolers. The pools underlying privately-issued mortgage pass through securities consist of mortgage loans secured by mortgages or deeds of trust creating a first lien on commercial, residential, residential multi-family and mixed residential/commercial properties. These mortgage pass-through securities do not have the same credit standing as U.S. government guaranteed securities and generally offer a higher yield than similar securities issued by a government entity. The timely payment of interest and principal on mortgage loans in these pools may be supported by various other forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, pool and hazard insurance, subordination and letters of credit. Some mortgage pass-through securities issued by private organizations may not be readily marketable, may be more difficult to value accurately and may be more volatile than similar securities issued by a government entity. Transactions in mortgage pass-through securities often occur through to-be-announced (“TBA”) transactions.
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ETFs. A Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock, and passively-managed ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. ETF shares typically are purchased and redeemed through in-kind purchases and redemptions, and trade on a stock exchange at market prices, which may differ from an ETF’s NAV. Typically, a Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, a Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies and policies but also presents some additional risks due to being exchange-traded. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range.
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Government Money Market Funds. A Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as government money market funds under the Investment Company Act to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. A Fund could invest in government money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. If a Fund invests in government money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the government money market funds in which a Fund invests, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager. Although a government money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a government money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the government money market fund has purchased may reduce the government money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a government money market security to decrease. In addition, a government money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation.
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Risk
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American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
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American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
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Asset-Backed Securities Risk
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X
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X
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X
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Asset Selection Risk
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X
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X
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Callable Securities Risk
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X
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X
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Collateralized Debt Obligations (“CDO”) Risk
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X
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Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”) Risk
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X
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X
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Confidential Information Access Risk
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X
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X
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Counterparty Risk
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X
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X
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“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk
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X
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X
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Credit Risk
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X
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X
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Currency Risk
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X
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Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
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X
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X
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Debentures Risk
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X
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X
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Debtor-in-Possession (“DIP”) Financing, Rescue Financing, and Exit Financing Risk
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X
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Defaulted Securities Risk
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X
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Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities Risk
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X
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Derivatives Risk
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X
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X
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X
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Risk
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American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
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American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
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X
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X
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Emerging Markets Risk
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X
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X
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Foreign Exposure Risk
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X
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Foreign Investing Risk
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X
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High Portfolio Turnover Risk
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X
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High-Yield Securities Risk
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X
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X
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Inflation Index-Linked Securities Risk
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X
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Infrastructure Investments Risk
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X
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|
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X
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X
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|
|
X
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|
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X
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|
|
X
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|
|
X
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|
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X
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|
|
X
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Interest Rate Risk
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X
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X
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Investment Risk
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X
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X
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Issuer Risk
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X
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X
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Liquidity Risk
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X
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X
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Litigation, Bankruptcy, and Other Proceedings Risk
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X
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Loan Interests Risk
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X
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X
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Market Risk
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Market Timing Risk
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X
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X
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Model and Data Risk
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X
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Mortgage-Backed and Mortgage-Related Securities Risk
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X
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X
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|
X
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|
|
X
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|
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X
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Municipal Securities Risk
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X
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Other Investment Companies Risk
|
X
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X
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|
|
X
|
|
X
|
X
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|
X
|
X
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Prepayment and Extension Risk
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X
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X
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Redemption Risk
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X
|
X
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Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
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X
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X
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Repurchase Agreement Risk
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X
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Restricted Securities Risk
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X
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X
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Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk
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X
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X
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Securities Selection Risk
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X
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X
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Sovereign and Quasi Sovereign Debt Risk
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X
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Stressed, Distressed, and Defaulted Securities Risk
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X
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Supranational Risk
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X
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Structured Products and Structured Notes Risk
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X
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X
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Risk
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American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
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American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
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Unrated Securities Risk
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X
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X
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U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk
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X
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X
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Valuation Risk
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X
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X
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Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
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X
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X
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Equipment
Trust Certificates (“ETCs”) and
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETCs”) Risk. ETCs
and EETCs are types of asset-backed securities that generally represent undivided fractional interests in a trust whose
assets consist of a pool of equipment retail installment contracts or leased equipment. EETCs are similar to ETCs, except
that the securities have been divided into two or more classes, each with different payment priorities and asset claims.
ETCs and EETCs are typically issued by specially-created trusts established by airlines, railroads, or other transportation
firms. The assets of ETCs and EETCs are used to purchase equipment, such as airplanes, railroad cars, or other equipment,
which may in turn serve as collateral for the related issue of the ETCs or EETCs, and the title to such equipment is held
in trust for the holders of the issue. The equipment generally is leased from the specially-created trust by the airline,
railroad or other firm, which makes rental or lease payments to the specially-created trust to provide cash flow for payments
to ETC and EETC holders. Holders of ETCs and EETCs must look to the collateral securing the certificates, typically together
with a guarantee provided by the lessee firm or its parent company for the payment of lease obligations, in the case of
default in the payment of principal and interest on the ETCs or EETCs. ETCs and EETCs are subject to the risk that the
lessee or payee defaults on its payments, and risks related to potential declines in the value of the equipment that serves
as collateral for the issue. ETCs and EETCs are generally regarded as obligations of the company that is leasing the equipment
and may be shown as liabilities in its balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. The lessee company, however, does not own the equipment until all the certificates are redeemed and paid.
In the event the company defaults under its lease, the trustee may terminate the lease. If another lessee is not available,
then payments on the certificates would cease until another lessee is available.
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Futures Contracts Risk. Futures contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose a Fund to additional risks, such as liquidity risk and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the instruments underlying those derivatives. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or index. Futures contracts may experience dramatic price changes (losses) and imperfect correlations between the price of the contract and the underlying security, index or currency, which may increase the volatility of a Fund. Futures contracts may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract). There can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that a Fund has previously bought or sold
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and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is subject to daily variation margin calls that could be substantial. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. A Fund may invest in the following types of futures contracts:
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•
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Interest Rate Futures Contracts Risk. Interest rate futures contracts expose a Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates. A Fund could suffer a loss if interest rates rise after a Fund has purchased an interest rate futures contract or fall after a Fund has sold an interest rate futures contract.
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•
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Treasury Futures Contracts Risk. Treasury futures contracts expose a Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates. Treasury futures contracts expose a Fund to potential losses if interest rates do not move as expected.
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Structured Notes Risk. Structured notes are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or interest payments linked to the value of a commodity, a foreign currency, an index of securities, an interest rate, or other financial indicators (“reference instruments”). The payments on a structured note may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared to a fixed interest rate, the exchange rates between two currencies, one or more securities or a securities or commodities index. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The movement of such factors may cause significant price fluctuations. A structured note may be positively or negatively indexed. For example, its principal amount and/or interest rate may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases, depending upon the terms of the instrument. Structured notes can have risks of both fixed-income securities and derivatives transactions. Structured notes are subject to interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity risk and counterparty risk, and to all of the risks of their underlying securities and derivatives. They are also subject to credit risk with respect both to the issuer and, if applicable, to the underlying security or borrower. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The price of structured notes may be very volatile and they may have a limited trading market, making it difficult to value them or sell them at an acceptable price. In some cases, a Fund may enter into agreements with an issuer of structured notes to purchase minimum amounts of those notes over time.
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Transportation. Transportation-related infrastructure assets may be adversely affected by, among other things, economic and market changes, fuel prices, labor relations, geo-political concerns and insurance costs. Transportation-related infrastructure assets and related businesses may also be subject to significant government regulation and oversight, which may adversely affect their businesses.
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Electric Utilities and Power. Deregulation may subject utility- and power-related infrastructure assets to greater competition and may adversely affect their performance. Assets in the utilities and/or power industries may have difficulty obtaining financing for large construction projects during periods of inflation or unsettled capital markets; face restrictions on operations and increased cost and delays attributable to environmental considerations and regulation; find that existing plants, equipment or products have been rendered obsolete by technological innovations; or be subject to increased costs because of the scarcity of certain fuels or the effects of man-made or natural disasters. Existing and future regulations or legislation may make it difficult for utility and power assets to operate profitably. Government regulators monitor and control utility and power revenues and costs, and therefore may limit utility-related profits. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will grant rate increases in the future. Energy conservation and changes in climate or environmental policy may also have a significant adverse impact on the revenues and expenses of utility and power-related assets. Additionally, independent power producers may face other risks such as but not limited to (i) market risks, (ii) project risks, and (iii) structural risk.
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Energy. Energy-related infrastructure assets may be highly cyclical and highly dependent on energy prices. The success of such assets can be strongly affected by one or more of the following: the levels and volatility of global energy prices, energy supply and demand, capital expenditures on exploration and production of energy sources, energy conservation efforts, exchange rates, interest rates, economic conditions, tax treatment, increased competition and technological advances. Infrastructure assets and projects in this sector may be subject to substantial government regulation and contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the cost of doing business and limit the revenue or earnings available to support the assets’ financing. Energy-related projects face a significant risk of liability from accidents resulting in injury or loss of life or property, pollution or other environmental problems, equipment
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malfunctions or mishandling of materials and a risk of loss from wars, terrorism, political strife, geopolitical tensions, and natural disasters. Assets involving pipelines are subject to certain risks, including pipeline and equipment leaks and ruptures, explosions, fires, unscheduled downtime, transportation interruptions, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous gases and other environmental risks. Any such event could have serious consequences for the general population of the affected area. Energy-related projects can be significantly affected by the supply of, and demand for, specific products (e.g., oil and natural gas) and services, exploration and production spending, government subsidization, world events and general economic conditions. Energy-related assets may have relatively high levels of debt and may be more likely to have to restructure their debt if there are downturns in energy markets or the economy as a whole.
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Renewable Energy. Governments may provide a range of incentives and subsidies for specific types of assets, especially for renewable energy assets. Changes in the application of government policy in relation to the incentives and subsidies that they provide may have a material impact upon the profitability or viability of renewable-energy related infrastructure-related assets. The generation of power from renewable energy sources tends to be reliant upon relatively recent technological developments (or the application thereof), and therefore unforeseen technical deficiencies with installations may occur. Moreover, the reliance of any renewable energy project, or group of projects, on a variable resource (for example, ambient light in the case of solar power projects, wind speed in the case of wind power projects and waste in the case of waste-to-energy projects) may affect the profitability of a site or sites. In addition, in the event of a failure of a utility or other private company contracted to purchase power produced by an installation or expiration of such a contract, in which the Fund has invested, difficulties may arise in contracting with a replacement power purchaser.
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Communication Networks and Equipment. The telecommunications market is characterized by increasing competition and regulation by various regulatory authorities. Infrastructure assets in the telecommunications sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in developing new products and services using new technology. Technological innovations may make the products and services of certain assets obsolete. Telecommunication-related infrastructure assets may depend on franchises or licenses in order to provide services in a given location. Licensing and franchise rights in the telecommunications sector are limited, which may provide an advantage to certain participants. Limited availability of such rights, high barriers to market entry and increasing regulatory oversight, among other factors, has led to consolidation within the sector, which could lead to further regulation or other negative effects in the future. Various forms of cyber attack, the sophistication and lethality of which continues to evolve, threaten communication networks and could severely hamper any infrastructure project dependent upon communication networks and equipment.
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Public and Social Infrastructure. Public and social infrastructure assets, such as hospitals, schools, government accommodations, and other public service facilities projects, may be subject to risks that include, but are not limited to, costs associated with governmental, environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdowns, increased competition from other providers of such services, uncertainties concerning costs, adverse political developments, and the level of government spending on infrastructure projects.
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Metals and Mining. Investments in metals and mining related infrastructure assets may be speculative and subject to greater price volatility than investments in other types of companies. The performance of assets in this sector is related to, among other things, worldwide metal prices, and extraction and production costs. Worldwide metal prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time. Metals and mining assets may also be subject to the effects of competitive pressures in the metals and mining industry.
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Industrial. Industrial-related infrastructure assets may be adversely affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general. Government regulation, world events, exchange rates and economic conditions, technological developments and liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities will likewise affect the performance of these assets and their ability to repay their debts. The industrials sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which can be highly volatile.
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Recent Market Events Risk. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, during periods of significant volatility, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in a Fund may be increased. National economies are substantially interconnected, as are global financial markets, which creates the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. However, the interconnectedness of economies and/or markets may be changing, which may impact such economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen at this time.
Some countries, including the U.S., have adopted more protectionist trade policies, including trade tariffs and other trade barriers, which is a trend that appears to be continuing globally. The economies of all nations, including the U.S., are subject to the risks of slowing global economic growth, protectionist trade policies, inflationary pressures, limits imposed by international trade and security agreements, political or economic dysfunction, poor consumer sentiment, and reduced demand for goods due to fluctuating commodity prices and currency values, and these risks may create significant market volatility in ways that cannot be foreseen at the present time. These economic risks could have a negative impact on a Fund’s investments. The U.S. has imposed or threatened to impose tariffs and other trade barriers on imports of certain categories of goods from Canada, Mexico, and European countries. The U.S. also has imposed or threatened to impose tariffs and other trade barriers on imports of certain categories of goods from China, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to China, and has established barriers to investments in China. These countries have imposed or threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. If relations between the U.S. and these and other foreign countries do not improve or continue to deteriorate, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of a Fund’s investments may go down. The U.S. Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have started to lower interest rates, though economic or other factors could stop or reverse such changes. It is difficult to accurately predict the various economic and political factors that influence the pace at which interest rates might change, the timing, frequency or magnitude of any such changes in interest rates, or when such changes might stop or again reverse course. Changes in interest rates could lead to an economic slowdown in the U.S. and abroad, significant market volatility and reduced liquidity in certain sectors of the market. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular issuers, negatively impact market value, increase market volatility, cause credit spreads to widen, reduce bank balance sheets and cause unexpected changes in interest rates. Any of these could cause an increase in market volatility, reduce liquidity across various sectors or markets or decrease confidence in the markets. Also, regulators have expressed concern that changes in interest rates may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. Historical |
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patterns of correlation among asset classes may break down in unanticipated ways during times of high volatility, disrupting investment programs and potentially causing losses.
Tensions, war (including cyber warfare) or open conflict between nations, such as among the United States, Israel and Iran, between Russia and Ukraine, otherwise in the Middle East or in eastern Asia could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States and may contribute to increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets. The extent and duration of ongoing hostilities and related sanctions and the repercussions of such events, including the potential for cyber warfare, remain uncertain and cannot be predicted. Those events have presented and could continue to present material uncertainty and risk with respect to markets globally, including in the oil and gas markets and potentially other industries and sectors, and the performance of a Fund and its investments or operations could be negatively impacted whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries or regions directly affected. Regulators in the U.S. have adopted a number of changes to regulations involving the markets and issuers, some of which apply to a Fund. The full effect of such regulations is not currently known, and certain regulatory changes could limit a Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies or make certain investments, may make it more costly for a Fund to operate, and adversely impact performance. Additionally, it is possible such regulations could be further revised or rescinded, which creates material uncertainty regarding their impact to a Fund. Further, advancements in technology may also adversely impact market movements and liquidity. For example, the advanced development and increased regulation of artificial intelligence may impact the economy and the performance of a Fund. As artificial intelligence is used more widely, which can occur relatively rapidly, the profitability and growth of certain issuers and industries may be negatively impacted in ways that cannot be foreseen and could adversely impact issuer and market performance. As a consequence, a Fund’s holdings and its overall performance could be negatively impacted. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty. There is no assurance that the U.S. Congress will act to raise the nation’s debt ceiling; a failure to do so could cause market turmoil and substantial investment risks that cannot be fully predicted. Unexpected political, regulatory and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy. China’s economy, which has been sustained through debt-financed spending on housing and infrastructure, appears to be experiencing a significant slowdown and growing at a lower rate than prior years. While the Chinese government appears to be taking measures to address these issues, due to the size of China’s economy, the resolution of these issues could impact a number of other countries. Certain illnesses spread rapidly and have the potential to significantly and adversely affect the global economy. The impact of epidemics and/or pandemics that may arise in the future could negatively affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including their liquidity, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time and could last for an extended period of time. Global climate change potentially may affect property and security values. Impacts from climate change may include significant risks to global financial assets and economic growth. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful storms and/or a climate-driven increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change in ways that cannot be foreseen, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products are seen as accelerating climate change. Losses related to climate change could adversely affect, among others, corporate issuers and mortgage lenders, the value of mortgage-backed securities, the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties, and insurers of the property and/or of corporate, municipal or mortgage-backed securities. |
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Adjustable Rate Mortgages (“ARMs”) Risk. ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, many ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on an ARM, any excess interest is added to the principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess is used to reduce the then-outstanding principal balance of the ARM. In addition, certain ARMs may provide for an initial fixed, below-market or teaser interest rate. During this initial fixed-rate period, the payment due from the related mortgagor may be less than that of a traditional loan. However, after the teaser rate expires, the monthly payment required to be made by the mortgagor may increase significantly when the interest rate on the mortgage loan adjusts. This increased burden on the mortgagor may increase the risk of delinquency or default on the mortgage loan and in turn, losses on the mortgage-backed security into which that loan has been bundled. During periods of rising interest rates, changes in the coupon rate lag behind changes in the market rate. During periods of extreme fluctuations in interest rates, the resulting fluctuation of ARM rates could affect the ARM’s market value. Most ARMs generally have annual reset limits or “caps,” for example of 100 to 200 basis points. Fluctuation in interest rates above these levels could cause such mortgage-backed securities to “cap out” and to behave more like long-term, fixed-rate debt securities. During periods of declining interest rates, the coupon rates may readjust downward, and result in lower yields. Because of this feature, the value of ARMs will likely not rise during periods of declining interest rates to the same extent as fixed-rate instruments.
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Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (“CMOs”) Risk. Investments in CMOs, including real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), are subject to the same risks as direct investments in the underlying mortgage-backed securities. In addition, CMOs may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. CMOs may offer a higher yield than U.S. government securities, but they may also be subject to greater price fluctuation and credit risk, and may be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, CMOs typically will be issued in a variety of classes or series, which have different maturities and are retired in sequence. While CMO collateral is generally issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association, the CMO itself may be issued by a private party, such as a brokerage firm, that is not covered by any government guarantees. Privately issued CMOs are not U.S. government securities nor are they supported in any way by any U.S. government agency or instrumentality. In the event of a default by an issuer of a CMO, there is no assurance that the collateral securing such CMO will be sufficient to pay principal and interest, and the Fund could experience delays in liquidating its position. It is possible that there will be limited opportunities for trading CMOs in the over-the-counter market, the depth and liquidity of which will vary from time to time.
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Mortgage Pass-Through Securities Risk. Mortgage pass-through securities are sensitive to interest rate changes, and small movements in interest rates, both increases and decreases, may quickly and significantly affect the value of certain mortgage pass-through securities. Mortgage-backed securities tend to increase in value less than other debt securities when interest rates decline, but are subject to similar or greater risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Certain of the mortgage pass-through securities in which a Fund may invest in are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it was not obligated to do so, which can cause a Fund to lose money or underperform. The risks of investing in mortgage pass-through securities include, among others, interest rate risk, credit risk, prepayment risk and extension risk, as well as risks associated with the nature of the underlying mortgage assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgages, and such risk is heightened during periods of economic downturn. Transactions in mortgage pass-through securities often occur through to-be-announced (“TBA”) transactions. If a TBA counterparty defaults or goes bankrupt a Fund may experience adverse market action, expenses, or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in a TBA transaction which can cause a Fund to lose money or underperform.
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Closed-end Funds Risk. Because closed-end funds may be listed on an exchange, they may be subject to trading halts, may trade at a discount or premium to their NAV and may not be liquid. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by a Fund will ever decrease, and it is possible that this market discount may increase, in which case a Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of a Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by a Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by a Fund. The lack of an active trading market or the halting of trading in the shares of closed-end funds in which a Fund invests may result in losses to a Fund. In addition, the market price of closed-end funds tends to rise more in response to buying demand and fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger-capitalization companies.
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Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. Because ETFs are listed on an exchange, they may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of that index and may not be permitted to sell poorly performing stocks that are included in its index. An actively-managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Future legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in taxation, could impact the operation of ETFs.
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Government Money Market Funds Risk. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. Although a government money market fund seeks to preserve the value of a fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, at times, the share price of government money market funds may fall below the $1.00 share price, especially during periods of high redemption pressures, illiquid markets, and/or significant market volatility. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, may fail or become less able or unwilling, to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations, or that it may default completely. There is the risk that the issuers or guarantors of securities owned by a government money market fund, including securities issued by U.S. Government agencies, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, will default on the payment of principal or interest or the obligation to repurchase securities from the government money market fund. This could cause the government money market fund’s NAV to decline below $1.00 per share, which would cause the Fund’s investment to lose value.
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The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes components for Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, fixed-rate agency mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities (agency and non-agency).
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The S&P UBS Leveraged Loan Index is an index designed to mirror the investable universe of the US dollar-denominated leveraged loan market. New loans are added to the index on their effective date if they qualify according to the following criteria: Loans must be rated “5B” or lower; only fully- funded term loans are included; the tenor must be at least one year; and the Issuers must be domiciled in developed countries (Issuers from developing countries are excluded). Fallen angels are added to the index subject to the new loan criteria. Loans are removed from the index when they are upgraded to investment grade, or when they exit the market (for example, at maturity, refinancing or bankruptcy workout). Note that issuers remain in the index following default. Total return of the index is the sum of three components: principal, interest, and reinvestment return. The cumulative return assumes that coupon payments are reinvested into the index at the beginning of each period.
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The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes components for Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, fixed-rate agency mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities (agency and non-agency).
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First $5 billion
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0.35%
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Next $5 billion
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0.325%
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Next $10 billion
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0.30%
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Over $20 billion
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0.275%
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First $170 million
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0.10%
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Over $170 million
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0.15%
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American Beacon Fund
|
Aggregate Management and Investment Advisory Fees
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American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
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0.49%1
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American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
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0.50%2
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| 1 | The figure reflects amounts paid to DoubleLine Capital in its role as investment advisor for the DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund for periods prior to February 23, 2026, and amounts paid to the Manager in its role as manager and DoubleLine Capital in its role as sub-advisor to the American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund for the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
| 2 | The figure reflects the amounts paid to the Manager in its role as manager and DoubleLine Capital in its role as sub-advisor to the American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund for the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
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American Beacon Fund
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A Class
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C Class
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Y Class
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R6 Class
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R5 Class
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Investor Class
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American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
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0.95%
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1.73%
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0.75%
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N/A
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0.69%
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1.00%
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American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
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N/A
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N/A
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0.59%
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0.58%
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N/A
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0.84%
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How long you expect to own the shares;
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How much you intend to invest;
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Total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;
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Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges;
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Whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future; and
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Availability of share classes.
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Amount of Sale/Account Value
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As a % of Offering Price
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As a % of Investment
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Dealer Commission as a % of Offering Price
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Less than $100,000
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2.50%
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2.56%
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1.75%
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$100,000 but less than $250,000
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1.50%
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1.52%
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1.00%
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$250,000 and above
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0.00%†
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0.00%†
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††
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| † | No initial sales charge applies on purchases of $250,000 or more. A CDSC of 0.50% of the offering price will be charged on purchases of $250,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or in part within eighteen (18) months of purchase. |
| †† | See “Dealer Concessions on A Class Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge.” |
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The Manager or its affiliates;
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Present and former directors, trustees, officers, employees of the Manager, the Manager’s parent company, and the American Beacon Funds (and their ‘‘immediate family’’ as defined in the SAI), and retirement plans established by them for their employees;
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Registered representatives or employees of intermediaries that have selling agreements with the Funds;
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Shares acquired through merger or acquisition;
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Insurance company separate accounts;
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Employer-sponsored retirement plans;
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Dividend reinvestment programs;
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Purchases through certain fee-based programs under which investors pay advisory fees that may be offered through selected registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other financial intermediaries;
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Shareholders that purchase a Fund through a financial intermediary that offers our A Class shares uniformly on a ‘‘no load’’ (or reduced load) basis to you and all similarly situated customers of the intermediary in accordance with the intermediary’s prescribed fee schedule for purchases of fund shares;
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Mutual fund shares exchanged from an existing position in the same fund as part of a share class conversion instituted by an intermediary; and
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Reinvestment of proceeds within 90 days of a redemption from A Class account (see Redemption Policies for more information).
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Accounts owned by you, your spouse or your minor children under the age of 21, including trust or other fiduciary accounts in which you, your spouse or your minor children are the beneficiary;
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UTMAs/UGMAs;
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■
|
IRAs, including traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs; and
|
|
■
|
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts or qualified 529 plans.
|
|
■
|
shares acquired by the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions;
|
|
■
|
other shares that are not subject to the CDSC;
|
|
■
|
shares held the longest during the holding period.
|
|
■
|
The redemption is due to a shareholder’s death or post-purchase disability;
|
|
■
|
The redemption is from a systematic withdrawal plan and represents no more than 10% of your annual account value;
|
|
■
|
The redemption is a benefit payment made from a qualified retirement plan, unless the redemption is due to the termination of the plan or the transfer of the plan to another financial institution;
|
|
■
|
The redemption is for a “required minimum distribution” from a traditional IRA as determined by the Internal Revenue Service;
|
|
■
|
The redemption is due to involuntary redemptions by a Fund as a result of your account not meeting the minimum balance requirements, the termination and liquidation of a Fund, or other actions;
|
|
■
|
The redemption is from accounts for which the broker-dealer of record has entered into a written agreement with the Distributor (or Manager) allowing this waiver;
|
|
■
|
The redemption is to return excess contributions made to a retirement plan; or
|
|
■
|
The redemption is to return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
|
|
|
New Account
|
Existing Account
|
||
|
Share Class
|
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
|
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
|
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
|
|
|
C
|
$1,000
|
$50
|
$250
|
|
|
A, Investor
|
$2,500
|
$50
|
$250
|
|
|
Y
|
$100,000
|
$50
|
None
|
|
|
R6
|
None
|
$50
|
None
|
|
|
R5
|
$250,000
|
$50
|
None
|
|
|
• Your name/account registration
|
|
• Your account number
|
|
• Type of transaction requested
|
|
• Fund name(s) and fund number(s)
|
|
• Dollar amount or number of shares
|
|
Internet
|
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
|
|
|
Phone
|
To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class Only)
|
|
|
Mail
|
American Beacon Funds
PO Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
|
Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
801 Pennsylvania Ave
Suite 219643
Kansas City, MO 64105-1307
|
|
■
|
ABA# 0110-0002-8; AC-9905-342-3,
|
|
■
|
Attn: American Beacon Funds,
|
|
■
|
the fund name and fund number, and
|
|
■
|
shareholder account number and registration.
|
|
|
New Account
|
Existing Account
|
||
|
Share Class
|
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
|
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
|
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
|
|
|
C
|
$1,000
|
$50
|
$250
|
|
|
A, Investor
|
$2,500
|
$50
|
$250
|
|
|
Y
|
$100,000
|
$50
|
None
|
|
|
R5
|
$250,000
|
$50
|
None
|
|
|
R6
|
None
|
$50
|
None
|
|
|
■
|
with a request to send the proceeds to an address or commercial bank account other than the address or commercial bank account designated on the account application, or
|
|
■
|
for an account whose address has changed within the last 30 days if proceeds are sent by check.
|
|
Share Class
|
Account Balance
|
|
C
|
$1,000
|
|
A, Investor
|
$2,500
|
|
Y
|
$25,000
|
|
R6
|
$0
|
|
R5
|
$75,000
|
|
■
|
The Funds, their officers, trustees, employees, or agents are not responsible for the authenticity of instructions provided by telephone, nor for any loss, liability, cost or expense incurred for acting on them.
|
|
■
|
The Funds employ procedures reasonably designed to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine.
|
|
■
|
Due to the volume of calls or other unusual circumstances, telephone redemptions may be difficult to implement during certain time periods.
|
|
■
|
liquidate a shareholder’s account at the current day’s NAV per share and remit proceeds via check if the Funds or a financial institution is unable to verify the shareholder’s identity within three business days of account opening,
|
|
■
|
seek reimbursement from the shareholder for any related loss incurred by a Fund if payment for the purchase of Fund shares by check does not clear the shareholder’s bank, and
|
|
■
|
reject a purchase order and seek reimbursement from the shareholder for any related loss incurred by a Fund if funds are not received by the applicable wire deadline.
|
|
■
|
Send a letter to American Beacon Funds via the United States Post Office.
|
|
■
|
Speak to a Customer Service Representative on the phone after you go through a security verification process. For residents of certain states, contact cannot be made by phone but must be in writing or through a Fund’s secure web application.
|
|
■
|
Access your account through a Fund’s secure web application.
|
|
■
|
Cashing checks that are received and are made payable to the owner of the account.
|
|
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643 Kansas City, MO 64121-9643 1-800-658-5811 www.americanbeaconfunds.com |
|
■
|
shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions;
|
|
■
|
systematic purchases and redemptions;
|
|
■
|
shares redeemed to return excess IRA contributions; or
|
|
■
|
certain transactions made within a retirement or employee benefit plan, such as payroll contributions, minimum required distributions, loans, and hardship withdrawals, or other transactions that are initiated by a party other than the plan participant.
|
|
■
|
Reinvest All Distributions. You can elect to reinvest all distributions by a Fund in additional shares of the distributing class of that Fund.
|
|
■
|
Reinvest Only Some Distributions. You can elect to reinvest some types of distributions by a Fund in additional shares of the distributing class of that Fund while receiving the other types of distributions by that Fund by check or having them sent directly to your bank account by ACH (“in cash”).
|
|
■
|
Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive all distributions in cash.
|
|
■
|
Reinvest Your Distributions in shares of another American Beacon Fund. You can reinvest all of your distributions by a Fund on a particular class of shares in shares of the same class of another American Beacon Fund that is available for exchanges. You must have an existing account in the same share class of the selected fund.
|
|
Type of Transaction
|
Federal Tax Status
|
|
Dividends from net investment income*
|
Ordinary income**
|
|
Distributions of the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss*
|
Ordinary income
|
|
Distributions of net gains from certain foreign currency transactions*
|
Ordinary income
|
|
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss (“net capital gain”)*
|
Long-term capital gains
|
|
Redemptions or exchanges of shares owned for more than one year
|
Long-term capital gains or losses
|
|
Type of Transaction
|
Federal Tax Status
|
|
Redemptions or exchanges of shares owned for one year or less
|
Net gains are taxed at the same rate as ordinary income; net losses are subject to special rules
|
| * | Whether reinvested or taken in cash. |
| ** | Except for dividends that are attributable to ‘‘qualified dividend income,’’ if any. |
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (formerly, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund)
|
|
|
|
A Class
|
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
February 23, 2026A to March 31, 2026
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$8.96
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.70
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
(0.10)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
(0.03)
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.04)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
–
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$8.89
|
|
Total returnC
|
(0.38)%D
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$7,505,509
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
1.87%E
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.99%E,F
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
6.49%E
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
7.37%E
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
117%G
|
|
A
|
Commencement of operations.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Not annualized.
|
|
E
|
Annualized.
|
|
F
|
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to loan interest expenses.
|
|
G
|
Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (formerly, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund)
|
|
|
|
C Class
|
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
February 23, 2026A to March 31, 2026
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$8.96
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.06
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
(0.11)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
(0.05)
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.03)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
–
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$8.88
|
|
Total returnC
|
(0.51)%D
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$4,130,777
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
2.65%E
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
1.77%E,F
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
5.72%E
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
6.60%E
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
117%G
|
|
A
|
Commencement of operations.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Not annualized.
|
|
E
|
Annualized.
|
|
F
|
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to loan interest expenses.
|
|
G
|
Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (formerly, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund)
|
|||||
|
|
Y ClassA
|
||||
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
Year Ended March 31, 2026
|
Year Ended March 31, 2025
|
Year Ended March 31, 2024
|
Year Ended March 31, 2023
|
Year Ended March 31, 2022
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$8.88
|
$9.04
|
$8.97
|
$9.42
|
$9.51
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.60
|
0.69
|
0.75
|
0.53
|
0.32
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
(0.07)
|
(0.15)
|
0.08
|
(0.42)
|
(0.09)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
0.53
|
0.54
|
0.83
|
0.11
|
0.23
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|||
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.55)
|
(0.70)
|
(0.76)
|
(0.56)
|
(0.32)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$8.86
|
$8.88
|
$9.04
|
$8.97
|
$9.42
|
|
Total returnC
|
6.10%
|
6.12%
|
9.61%
|
1.31%
|
2.40%
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$90,193,944
|
$135,642,445
|
$162,268,995
|
$200,203,348
|
$333,517,957
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|||
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.96%
|
0.79%
|
0.74%
|
0.68%
|
0.64%
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.78%D
|
0.79%
|
0.74%
|
0.68%
|
0.64%
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
6.56%
|
7.63%
|
8.34%
|
5.81%
|
3.37%
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
6.74%
|
7.63%
|
8.34%
|
5.81%
|
3.37%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
117%
|
65%
|
50%
|
17%
|
40%
|
|
A
|
Prior to the reorganization on February 20, 2026, the Y Class was known as Class I.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on February 23, 2026.
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (formerly, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund)
|
|
|
|
R5 Class
|
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
February 23, 2026A to March 31, 2026
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$8.93
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.07
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
(0.10)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
(0.03)
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.04)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
–
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$8.86
|
|
Total returnC
|
(0.38)%D
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$10,406,240
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
1.46%E
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.73%E,F
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
6.89%E
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
7.62%E
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
117%G
|
|
A
|
Commencement of operations.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Not annualized.
|
|
E
|
Annualized.
|
|
F
|
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to loan interest expenses.
|
|
G
|
Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (formerly, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund)
|
|||||
|
|
Investor ClassA
|
||||
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
Year Ended March 31, 2026
|
Year Ended March 31, 2025
|
Year Ended March 31, 2024
|
Year Ended March 31, 2023
|
Year Ended March 31, 2022
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$8.91
|
$9.07
|
$8.99
|
$9.44
|
$9.53
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.59
|
0.67
|
0.73
|
0.48
|
0.30
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
(0.08)
|
(0.16)
|
0.08
|
(0.40)
|
(0.10)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
0.51
|
0.51
|
0.81
|
0.08
|
0.20
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|||
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.53)
|
(0.67)
|
(0.73)
|
(0.53)
|
(0.29)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$8.89
|
$8.91
|
$9.07
|
$8.99
|
$9.44
|
|
Total returnC
|
5.85%
|
5.84%
|
9.43%
|
1.04%
|
2.15%
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$16,799,018
|
$16,904,768
|
$17,070,438
|
$20,603,257
|
$45,362,031
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|||
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
1.22%
|
1.04%
|
0.99%
|
0.92%
|
0.90%
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
1.03%D
|
1.04%
|
0.99%
|
0.92%
|
0.90%
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
6.36%
|
7.38%
|
8.10%
|
5.32%
|
3.16%
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
6.55%
|
7.38%
|
8.10%
|
5.32%
|
3.16%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
117%
|
65%
|
50%
|
17%
|
40%
|
|
A
|
Prior to the reorganization on February 20, 2026, the Investor Class was known as Class N.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on February 23, 2026.
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|||||
|
|
Y ClassA
|
||||
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
Year Ended March 31, 2026
|
Year Ended March 31, 2025
|
Year Ended March 31, 2024
|
Year Ended March 31, 2023
|
Year Ended March 31, 2022
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$9.41
|
$9.22
|
$9.05
|
$9.67
|
$10.46
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.46
|
0.39
|
0.34
|
0.28
|
0.27
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
0.00E
|
0.19
|
0.16
|
(0.60)
|
(0.71)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
0.46
|
0.58
|
0.50
|
(0.32)
|
(0.44)
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|||
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.42)
|
(0.39)
|
(0.33)
|
(0.27)
|
(0.28)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gain
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(0.03)
|
(0.07)
|
|
Total Distributions
|
(0.42)
|
(0.39)
|
(0.33)
|
(0.30)
|
(0.35)
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$9.45
|
$9.41
|
$9.22
|
$9.05
|
$9.67
|
|
Total returnC
|
4.94%
|
6.41%
|
5.68%
|
(3.24)%
|
(4.39)%
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$346,878,859
|
$356,526,158
|
$358,912,234
|
$346,227,165
|
$521,889,027
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|||
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.63%
|
0.59%
|
0.57%
|
0.57%
|
0.57%
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.61%D
|
0.59%
|
0.57%
|
0.57%
|
0.57%
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
4.79%
|
4.14%
|
3.72%
|
3.02%
|
2.63%
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
4.81%
|
4.14%
|
3.72%
|
3.02%
|
2.63%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
39%
|
45%
|
49%
|
8%
|
23%
|
|
A
|
Prior to the reorganization on February 20, 2026, the Y Class was known as Class I.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on February 23, 2026.
|
|
E
|
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|||||
|
|
Investor ClassA
|
||||
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
Year Ended March 31, 2026
|
Year Ended March 31, 2025
|
Year Ended March 31, 2024
|
Year Ended March 31, 2023
|
Year Ended March 31, 2022
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$9.42
|
$9.23
|
$9.06
|
$9.68
|
$10.46
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.44
|
0.36
|
0.33
|
0.25
|
0.25
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
0.00E
|
0.20
|
0.15
|
(0.59)
|
(0.71)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
0.44
|
0.56
|
0.48
|
(0.34)
|
(0.46)
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|||
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.40)
|
(0.37)
|
(0.31)
|
(0.25)
|
(0.25)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gain
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(0.03)
|
(0.07)
|
|
Total distributions
|
(0.40)
|
(0.37)
|
(0.31)
|
(0.28)
|
(0.32)
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$9.46
|
$9.42
|
$9.23
|
$9.06
|
$9.68
|
|
Total returnC
|
4.70%
|
6.14%
|
5.42%
|
(3.49)%
|
(4.60)%
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
|||
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$8,984,244
|
$6,388,336
|
$6,970,751
|
$601,046
|
$1,794,233
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|||
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.89%
|
0.84%
|
0.83%
|
0.82%
|
0.82%
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.86%D
|
0.84%
|
0.83%
|
0.82%
|
0.82%
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
4.56%
|
3.88%
|
3.60%
|
2.74%
|
2.38%
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
4.59%
|
3.88%
|
3.60%
|
2.74%
|
2.38%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
39%
|
45%
|
49%
|
8%
|
23%
|
|
A
|
Prior to the reorganization on February 20, 2026, the Investor Class was known as Class N.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on February 23, 2026.
|
|
E
|
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|
|
|
R6 Class
|
|
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
|
February 23, 2026A to March 31, 2026
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$9.62
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
Net investment incomeB
|
0.05
|
|
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
|
(0.18)
|
|
Total income (loss) from investment operations
|
(0.13)
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
(0.04)
|
|
Distributions from net realized gains
|
–
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$9.45
|
|
Total returnC
|
(1.38)%D
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data:
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period
|
$9,855
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
29.45%E
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
0.58%E
|
|
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
(23.48)%E
|
|
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
|
5.39%E
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
39%F
|
|
A
|
Commencement of operations.
|
|
B
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
C
|
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
|
|
D
|
Not annualized.
|
|
E
|
Annualized.
|
|
F
|
Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
|
|
By Telephone:
|
Call
1-800-658-5811 |
|
By Mail:
|
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643 Kansas City, MO 64121-9643 |
|
By E-mail:
|
americanbeaconfunds@ambeacon.com
|
|
On the Internet:
|
|
American Beacon is a registered service mark of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. The American Beacon Funds, American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund and American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
|
|
|
■
|
Transaction size breakpoints, as described in this prospectus or the SAI.
|
|
■
|
Rights of accumulation (ROA), as described in this prospectus or the SAI.
|
|
■
|
Letter of intent, as described in this prospectus or the SAI.
|
|
■
|
shares purchased by employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer- sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
|
|
■
|
shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family).
|
|
■
|
shares exchanged from Class C shares of the same fund in the month of or following the seven-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to such shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply to exchanges following such shorter period. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares for load waived shares, that waiver will also apply to such exchanges.
|
|
■
|
shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.
|
|
■
|
shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise Financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.
|
|
■
|
shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e. Rights of Reinstatement).
|
|
■
|
redemptions due to death or disability of the shareholder
|
|
■
|
shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in this prospectus or the SAI
|
|
■
|
redemptions made in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account
|
|
■
|
shares purchased through a Right of Reinstatement (as defined above)
|
|
■
|
redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund • Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Baird or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Baird
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased within 90 days following a redemption from an American Beacon Fund, provided (1) the redemption and purchase occur within the purchaser’s Baird household and (2) the redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement)
|
|
■
|
A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C Shares will have their share converted at net asset value to Investor A shares of the same fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird
|
|
■
|
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs
|
|
■
|
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder
|
|
■
|
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus
|
|
■
|
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account
|
|
■
|
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations as described in the Fund’s prospectus
|
|
■
|
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird
|
|
■
|
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
|
|
■
|
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus
|
|
■
|
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of American Beacon assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible American Beacon assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets
|
|
■
|
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of American Beacon through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.
|
|
■
|
Breakpoint pricing, otherwise known as volume pricing, at dollar thresholds as described in the prospectus.
|
|
■
|
The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except certain money market funds and any assets held in group retirement plans) of the American Beacon Fund complex held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). If grouping assets as a shareholder, this includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the ROA calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Money market funds are included only if such shares were sold with a sales charge at the time of purchase or acquired in exchange for shares purchased with a sales charge.
|
|
■
|
The employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan may elect to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping as opposed to including all share classes at a shareholder or pricing group level.
|
|
■
|
ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost minus redemptions or market value (current shares x NAV).
|
|
■
|
Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to make over a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not adjusted under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.
|
|
■
|
If the employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan has elected to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping, LOIs will also be at the plan-level and may only be established by the employer.
|
|
■
|
Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and other accounts in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing and remains in good standing pursuant to Edward Jones’ policies and procedures.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, the sale and purchase are made from a share class that charges a front load and one of the following (“Right of Reinstatement”):
|
|
•
|
The redemption and repurchase occur in the same account.
|
|
•
|
The redemption proceeds are used to process an: IRA contribution, excess contributions, conversion, recharacterizing of contributions, or distribution, and the repurchase is done in an account within the same Edward Jones grouping for ROA.
|
|
The Right of Reinstatement excludes systematic or automatic transactions including, but not limited to, purchases made through payroll deductions, liquidations to cover account fees, and reinvestments from non-mutual fund products.
|
|
■
|
Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.
|
|
■
|
Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.
|
|
■
|
The death or disability of the shareholder.
|
|
■
|
Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.
|
|
■
|
Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
|
|
■
|
Shares redeemed as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
|
|
■
|
Shares redeemed to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.
|
|
■
|
Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.
|
|
■
|
Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.
|
|
■
|
Shares redeemed at the discretion of Edward Jones for Minimums Balances, as described below.
|
|
■
|
Initial purchase minimum: $250
|
|
■
|
Subsequent purchase minimum: none Minimum Balances
|
|
■
|
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less.
|
|
•
|
A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform
|
|
•
|
A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform
|
|
•
|
An account with an active systematic investment plan or LOI
|
|
■
|
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares of the same fund.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
|
|
■
|
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
|
|
■
|
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
|
|
■
|
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
|
|
■
|
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
|
|
■
|
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s Prospectus.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
|
|
■
|
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and other retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the fund’s Prospectus.
|
|
■
|
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
|
|
■
|
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
|
|
■
|
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
|
|
■
|
Breakpoints as described in the fund’s Prospectus.
|
|
■
|
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
|
|
■
|
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
|
|
■
|
Shares exchanged from Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a CDSC and are exchanged into Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC’s share class exchange policy.
|
|
■
|
Qualified employer-sponsored defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, other employee benefit plans and trusts used to fund those plans. For purposes of this provision, such plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, SAR-SEPs or 501(c)(3) accounts.
|
|
■
|
Shares of funds purchased through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Self-Directed Investing accounts.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through rights of reinstatement.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC or its affiliates and their spouse or financial dependent as defined by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.
|
|
■
|
A shareholder in the fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the same fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is consistent with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC’s policies and procedures.
|
|
■
|
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
|
|
■
|
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
|
|
■
|
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
|
|
■
|
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
|
|
■
|
Breakpoints as described in the prospectus.
|
|
■
|
Rights of Accumulation (“ROA”) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. Eligible fund family assets not held at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies their financial advisor about such assets.
|
|
■
|
Letters of Intent (“LOI”) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable).
|
|
■
|
Shares of mutual funds available for purchase by employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation, and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans provided the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through a Merrill investment advisory program
|
|
■
|
Brokerage class shares exchanged from advisory class shares due to the holdings moving from a Merrill investment advisory program to a Merrill brokerage account
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased through the systematic reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same mutual fund in the same account
|
|
■
|
Shares exchanged from level-load shares to front-end load shares of the same mutual fund in accordance with the description in the Merrill SLWD Supplement
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased by eligible employees of Merrill or its affiliates and their family members who purchase shares in accounts within the employee’s Merrill Household (as defined in the Merrill SLWD Supplement)
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased by eligible persons associated with the fund as defined in this prospectus (e.g. the fund’s officers or trustees)
|
|
■
|
Shares purchased from the proceeds of a mutual fund redemption in front-end load shares provided (1) the repurchase is in a mutual fund within the same fund family; (2) the repurchase occurs within 90 calendar days from the redemption trade date, and (3) the redemption and purchase occur in the same
|
|
account (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e. systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for Rights of Reinstatement
|
|
■
|
Shares sold due to the client’s death or disability (as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 22(e)(3))
|
|
■
|
Shares sold pursuant to a systematic withdrawal program subject to Merrill’s maximum systematic withdrawal limits as described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement
|
|
■
|
Shares sold due to return of excess contributions from an IRA account
|
|
■
|
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the investor reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation
|
|
■
|
Front-end or level-load shares held in commission-based, non-taxable retirement brokerage accounts (e.g. traditional, Roth, rollover, SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans) that are transferred to fee-based accounts or platforms and exchanged for a lower cost share class of the same mutual fund
|
|
■
|
Breakpoint discounts, as described in this prospectus, where the sales load is at or below the maximum sales load that Merrill permits to be assessed to a front-end load purchase, as described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement
|
|
■
|
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), as described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement, which entitle clients to breakpoint discounts based on the aggregated holdings of mutual fund family assets held in accounts in their Merrill Household
|
|
■
|
On or about May 1, 2026, assets not held at Merrill will no longer be included in the ROA calculation. For more detail on the timing and calculation, please refer to the Merrill SLWD Supplement.
|
|
■
|
Letters of Intent (LOI), which allow for breakpoint discounts on eligible new purchases based on anticipated future eligible purchases within a fund family at Merrill, in accounts within your Merrill Household, as further described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement
|
|
■
|
On or about May 1, 2026, Merrill will no longer accept new LOIs. For more detail on the timing, please refer to the Merrill SLWD Supplement.
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Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans
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Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules
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■
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Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund
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■
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Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account
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■
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Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program
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Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.
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Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan
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Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan
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Shares purchased through an OPCO affiliated investment advisory program
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Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family)
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Shares purchased form the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same amount, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
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A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO
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Employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members
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Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus
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Death or disability of the shareholder
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Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus
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Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account
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Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the prospectus
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Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO
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Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
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Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
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Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
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Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.
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Shares purchased within the same fund family through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions.
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Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.
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Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).
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A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.
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Death or disability of the shareholder.
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Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.
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Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
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Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.
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Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.
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Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
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■
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Breakpoints as described in this Prospectus.
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■
|
Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
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Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
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Wells Fargo Advisors employee and employee-related accounts according to Wells Fargo Advisor’s employee account linking rules. Legacy accounts and positions receiving affiliate discounts prior to the effective date will continue to receive discounts. Going forward employees of affiliate businesses will not be offered NAV.
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Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund. WellsTrade, the firm’s online self-directed brokerage account, generally offers no-load share classes but there could be instances where a Class A share is offered without a front-end sales charge.
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Shares purchased through a rollover from another 529 plan.
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■
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Recontribution(s) of distributed funds are only allowed during the NAV reinstatement period as dictated by the sponsor’s specifications outlined by the plan.
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■
|
Contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) imposed on fund redemptions will not be rebated based on future purchases.
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■
|
Effective April 1, 2026, SEP or SIMPLE IRAs will not be aggregated as a group plan. They will aggregate with the client’s personal accounts based on Social Security Number. Previously established SEP and SIMPLE IRAs may still be aggregated as a group plan.
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Effective April 1, 2026, Employer-sponsored retirement plan (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans) accounts will aggregate with other plan accounts under the same Tax ID and will not be aggregated with other retirement plan accounts under a different Tax ID or personal accounts. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
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■
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Gift of shares will not be considered when determining breakpoint discounts.
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Advisers Act
|
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended
|
|
|
American Beacon or Manager
|
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
|
|
|
Beacon Funds or the Trust
|
American Beacon Funds
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|
|
Board
|
Board of Trustees
|
|
|
Capital Gains Distributions
|
Distributions of realized net capital gains
|
|
|
CDSC
|
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
|
|
|
CFTC
|
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
|
|
|
CLO
|
Collateralized Loan Obligation
|
|
|
CPO
|
Commodity Pool Operator
|
|
|
Denial of Services
|
A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems
|
|
|
Dividends
|
Distributions of most or all of the Fund’s net investment income
|
|
|
DRD
|
Dividends-received deduction
|
|
|
ESG
|
Environmental, Social, and/or Governance
|
|
|
ETF
|
Exchange-Traded Fund
|
|
|
EU
|
European Union
|
|
|
Fannie Mae
|
Federal National Mortgage Association
|
|
|
FFCB
|
Federal Farm Credit Banks
|
|
|
FHLB
|
Federal Home Loan Bank
|
|
|
FNMA
|
Federal National Mortgage Association
|
|
|
Freddie Mac
|
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
|
|
|
GNMA
|
Government National Mortgage Association
|
|
|
Internal Revenue Code
|
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
|
|
|
Investment Company Act
|
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
|
|
|
IRA
|
Individual Retirement Account
|
|
|
IRS
|
Internal Revenue Service
|
|
|
Junk Bonds
|
High yield, non-investment grade bonds
|
|
|
LOI
|
Letter of Intent
|
|
|
Management Agreement
|
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager
|
|
|
NAV
|
Fund’s net asset value
|
|
|
NYSE
|
New York Stock Exchange
|
|
|
Other Distributions
|
Distributions of net gains from foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
OTC
|
Over-the-Counter
|
|
|
QDI
|
Qualified Dividend Income
|
|
|
RIH
|
Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC
|
|
|
SAI
|
Statement of Additional Information
|
|
|
SEC
|
Securities and Exchange Commission
|
|
|
SOFR
|
Secured Overnight Financing Rate
|
|
|
State Street
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
|
|
|
SVP
|
Signature Validation Program
|
|
|
UGMA
|
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
|
|
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UK
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
UTMA
|
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
|
|
|
|
|
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Ticker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Class
|
A
|
C
|
Y
|
R6
|
R5
|
Investor
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (formerly, American
Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund) |
ADLAX
|
ADLCX
|
ADLYX
|
|
ADLIX
|
ADLPX
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|
|
BILDX
|
BILRX
|
|
BILTX
|
|
Strategy/Risk
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Equipment Trust Certificates (ETCs) and Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETCs) Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Borrowing Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Callable Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Cash Equivalents and Other Short-Term Investments
|
X
|
X
|
|
Bank Deposit Notes
|
X
|
X
|
|
Bankers’ Acceptances
|
X
|
X
|
|
Bearer Deposit Notes
|
X
|
X
|
|
CDs
|
X
|
X
|
|
Commercial Paper
|
X
|
X
|
|
Eurodollar and Yankee CD Obligations
|
X
|
|
|
Government Money Market Funds
|
X
|
X
|
|
Strategy/Risk
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|
Government Obligations
|
X
|
|
|
Repurchase Agreements
|
X
|
X
|
|
Short-term Corporate Debt Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Time Deposits
|
X
|
X
|
|
Collateralized Bond Obligations, Collateralized Debt Obligations and Collateralized Loan Obligations
|
X
|
X
|
|
Convertible Securities
|
X
|
|
|
Corporate Actions
|
X
|
X
|
|
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Cover and Asset Segregation
|
X
|
X
|
|
Creditor Liability and Participation on Creditors’ Committees
|
X
|
X
|
|
Currencies Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Debentures
|
X
|
X
|
|
Debtor-In-Possession Loan Risks
|
X
|
X
|
|
Defaulted Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Derivatives
|
X
|
X
|
|
Forward Contracts
|
X
|
X
|
|
Futures Contracts
|
X
|
X
|
|
Index Futures Contracts
|
X
|
X
|
|
Interest Rate Futures Contracts
|
X
|
X
|
|
Treasury Futures Contracts
|
X
|
X
|
|
Options
|
X
|
X
|
|
Swap Agreements
|
X
|
X
|
|
Credit Default Swaps
|
X
|
X
|
|
Interest Rate and Inflation Swaps
|
X
|
X
|
|
Total Return Swaps
|
X
|
X
|
|
Structured Notes
|
X
|
|
|
Warrants
|
X
|
X
|
|
Distressed Investment Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Equity Investments
|
X
|
X
|
|
Common Stock
|
X
|
X
|
|
Event-Driven Investing
|
X
|
X
|
|
Expense Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Exchange-Traded Notes
|
X
|
|
|
Fixed-Income Investments
|
X
|
X
|
|
High-Yield Bonds
|
X
|
X
|
|
Foreign Debt Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Foreign Investing
|
X
|
X
|
|
Emerging Market Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Strategy/Risk
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|
European Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
United Kingdom Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Pacific Basin Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Inflation Index-Linked Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Inflation Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Interfund Lending
|
X
|
X
|
|
Investment Grade Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Issuer Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Leverage Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Loan Interests, Participations and Assignments
|
X
|
X
|
|
Model and Data Risk
|
X
|
|
|
Mortgage-Backed Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (“ARMs”)
|
X
|
X
|
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (“CMO”) Residuals
|
X
|
|
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”)
|
X
|
X
|
|
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (“CMBSs”)
|
X
|
X
|
|
Mortgage Dollar Rolls
|
X
|
|
|
Mortgage Pass-Through Securities
|
X
|
|
|
GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
|
X
|
|
|
FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates
|
X
|
|
|
FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
|
X
|
|
|
Mortgage Pass-Through Securities Issued by Private Organizations
|
X
|
|
|
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (“RMBSs”)
|
X
|
X
|
|
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities (“SMBSs”)
|
X
|
|
|
Municipal Securities
|
X
|
|
|
Anticipation Notes
|
X
|
|
|
Commercial Paper
|
X
|
|
|
General Obligation Bonds
|
X
|
|
|
Municipal Lease Obligations
|
X
|
|
|
Municipal Warrants
|
X
|
|
|
Private Activity Bonds
|
X
|
|
|
Refunded Bonds
|
X
|
|
|
Resource Recovery Obligations
|
X
|
|
|
Revenue Obligations
|
X
|
|
|
Other Investment Company Securities and Exchange-Traded Products
|
X
|
X
|
|
ETFs
|
X
|
X
|
|
Money Market Funds
|
X
|
X
|
|
Strategy/Risk
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|
Participatory Notes
|
X
|
|
|
Pay-in-Kind Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
Preferred Stock
|
X
|
X
|
|
Redemption Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Responsible Investing Considerations Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Senior Loans
|
X
|
X
|
|
Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities and Other Zero-Coupon Securities
|
X
|
|
|
Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Government and Supranational Debt
|
X
|
|
|
Structured Products and Structured Notes Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
Supranational Risk
|
X
|
|
|
Unrated Securities Risk
|
X
|
X
|
|
U.S. Government Agency Securities
|
X
|
X
|
|
U.S. Government Securities Risk
|
X
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations
|
X
|
|
|
Variable or Floating Rate Obligations
|
X
|
X
|
|
Variable Rate Auction and Residual Interest Obligations
|
X
|
|
|
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Transactions
|
X
|
|
■
|
Equipment
Trust Certificates (“ETCs”) and
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETCs”) Risk. ETCs
and EETCs are types of asset-backed securities that generally represent undivided fractional interests in a trust whose
assets consist of a pool of equipment retail installment contracts or leased equipment. EETCs are similar to ETCs, except
that the securities have been divided into two or more classes, each with different payment priorities and asset claims.
ETCs and EETCs are typically issued by specially-created trusts established by airlines, railroads, or other transportation
firms. The assets of ETCs and EETCs are used to purchase equipment, such as airplanes, railroad cars, or other equipment,
which may in turn serve as collateral for the related issue of the ETCs or EETCs, and the title to such equipment is held
in trust for the holders of the issue. The equipment generally is leased from the specially-created trust by the airline,
railroad or other firm, which makes rental or lease payments to the specially-created trust to provide cash flow for payments
to ETC and EETC holders. Holders of ETCs and EETCs must look to the collateral securing the certificates, typically together
with a guarantee provided by the lessee firm or its parent company for the payment of lease obligations, in the case of
default in the payment of principal and interest on the ETCs or EETCs. ETCs and EETCs are subject to the risk that the
lessee or payee defaults on its payments, and risks related to potential declines in the value of the equipment that serves
as collateral for the issue. ETCs and EETCs are generally regarded as obligations of the company that is leasing the equipment
and may be shown as liabilities in its balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. The lessee company, however, does not own the equipment until all the certificates are redeemed and paid.
In the event the company defaults under its lease, the trustee may terminate the lease. If another lessee is not available,
then payments on the certificates would cease until another lessee is available.
|
|
■
|
Bank Deposit Notes. Bank deposit notes are obligations of a bank that provide an alternative to certificates of deposit. Similar to certificates of deposit, deposit notes represent bank level investment and, therefore, are senior to all holding company corporate debt. Bank deposit notes rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. Typically, bank deposit notes are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other insurer.
|
|
■
|
Bankers’ Acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are short-term credit instruments designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset, or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Most acceptances have maturities of six months or less. Bankers’ acceptances rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank.
|
|
■
|
Bearer Deposit Notes. Bearer deposit notes, or bearer bonds, are bonds or debt securities that entitle the holder of the document to ownership or title in the deposit. Such notes are typically unregistered, and whoever physically holds the bond is presumed to be the owner of the instrument. Recovery of the value of a bearer bond in the event of its loss or destruction usually is impossible. Interest is typically paid upon presentment of an interest coupon for payment.
|
|
■
|
CDs. CDs are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in an eligible bank (including its domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries and agencies) for a definite period of time and earning a specified rate of return. U.S. dollar denominated CDs issued by banks abroad are known as Eurodollar CDs. CDs issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks are known as Yankee CDs.
|
|
■
|
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is a short-term debt security issued by a corporation, bank, municipality, or other issuer, usually for purposes such as financing current operations. A Fund may invest in commercial paper that cannot be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. While some restricted commercial paper normally is deemed illiquid, in certain cases it may be deemed liquid.
|
|
■
|
Eurodollar and Yankee CD Obligations. Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar obligations issued outside the United States by domestic or foreign entities, while Yankee CDs are U.S. dollar obligations issued inside the United States by foreign entities. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign issuers and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies. Foreign issuers may use different accounting and financial standards, and the addition of foreign governmental restrictions may affect adversely the payment of principal and interest on foreign investments. In addition, not all foreign branches of United States banks are supervised or examined by regulatory authorities as are United States banks, and such branches may not be subject to reserve requirements. Eurodollar (and, to a limited extent, Yankee dollar) obligations are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent
|
|
capital, in the form of dollars, from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.
|
|
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Government Money Market Funds. A Fund may invest cash balances in money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. Money market funds invest in highly-liquid, short-term instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, and debt securities with high credit ratings and short-term maturities, such as U.S. Treasuries. A “government money market fund” is required to invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. government securities, and/or repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by government securities or cash. Government securities include any security issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities. By investing in a money market fund, a Fund becomes a shareholder of that money market fund. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the money market funds in which a Fund invests in addition to any fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with a Fund’s own operations. These expenses may include, for example, advisory and administrative fees, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager. These other fees and expenses are reflected in the Fees and Expenses Table for a Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with money market funds and the portfolio investments of such money market funds, including that a money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that a Fund would have derived from other investments that would provide liquidity. Although a money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the money market fund has purchased can cause the price of a money market security to decrease and may reduce the money market fund’s yield. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation. Factors that could adversely affect the value of a money market fund’s shares include, among other things, a sharp rise in interest rates, an illiquid market for the securities held by the money market fund, a high volume of redemption activity in a money market fund’s shares, and a credit event or credit rating downgrade affecting one or more of the issuers of securities held by the money market fund. There can be no assurance that a money market fund will maintain a $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”) at all times.
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Government Obligations. Government obligations may include U.S. Treasury securities, Treasury inflation-protected securities, and other debt instruments backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, or debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored entities.
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Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements are agreements pursuant to which a Fund purchases securities from a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System (or a foreign bank or U.S. branch or agency of a foreign bank), or from a securities dealer, that agrees to repurchase the securities from a Fund at a higher price on a designated future date. Repurchase agreements generally are for a short period of time, usually less than a week. Costs, delays, or losses could result if the selling party to a repurchase agreement becomes bankrupt or otherwise defaults.
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Short-term Corporate Debt Securities. Short-term corporate debt securities are securities and bonds issued by corporations with shorter terms to maturity. Corporate securities generally bear a higher risk than U.S. government bonds.
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Time Deposits. Time deposits, also referred to as “fixed time deposits,” are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.
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Forward Contracts. A Fund may enter into forward contracts. Forward contracts are a type of derivative instrument that obligate the purchaser to take delivery of, or cash settle a specific amount of, a commodity, security or obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. Likewise, the seller incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying asset against receipt of the specified price. Generally, forward contracts are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, on certain securities exchanges, or over-the-counter, and the protections afforded to investors may vary depending on the trading environment. This is distinguishable from futures contracts, which are traded on U.S. and foreign commodities exchanges.
Forward contracts are often negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated, as there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable. The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying reference assets in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase a Fund’s risk exposure to underlying reference assets and their attendant risks. A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a forward contract in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a counterparty. If such a default occurs, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the forward contract, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect a Fund’s rights as a creditor. |
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Futures Contracts. A Fund may enter into futures contracts. Futures contracts are a type of derivative instrument that obligate the purchaser to take delivery of, or cash settle a specific amount of, a commodity, security or other obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. Likewise, the seller incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying obligation against receipt of the specified price. Futures are traded on both U.S. and foreign commodities exchanges. The purchase and sale of futures can serve as a hedge against fluctuations in the value of other investments or to take long or short exposure to the underlying assets.
No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Instead, at the inception of a futures contract, a Fund is required to deposit “initial margin” consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or liquid, high-grade debt securities in an amount set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and varying based on the volatility of the underlying asset. Margin must also be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in accordance with applicable exchange rules. Unlike margin in securities transactions, initial margin on futures contracts does not represent a borrowing, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit that is returned to a Fund at the termination of the transaction if all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, a Fund may be required by a futures exchange to increase the level of its initial margin payment, and initial margin requirements might be increased generally in the future by regulatory action. Subsequent “variation margin” payments (sometimes referred to as “maintenance margin” payments) are made to and from the futures broker daily as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as “marking-to-market.” Variation margin does not involve borrowing, but rather represents a daily settlement of a Fund’s obligations to or from a futures broker. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is subject to daily, or even intraday, variation margin calls that could be substantial in the event of adverse price movements. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily or intraday variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. Purchasers and sellers of futures contracts can enter into offsetting closing transactions, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold. Positions in futures contracts may be closed only on a futures exchange or board of trade that trades that contract. A Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be a liquid secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract. Although many futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying asset, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of the securities or currency. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is accomplished by buying (or selling, as appropriate) on a commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take delivery of the securities or currency. Since all transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, a Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells futures contracts. If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, a Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sell price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, a Fund realizes a capital loss. The Funds have no current intent to accept physical delivery in connection with the settlement of futures contracts. Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price; once that limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions. If a Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. A Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the futures contract or option thereon or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account. The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions. The liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent |
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participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of securities price or currency exchange rate trends by the sub-advisor may still not result in a successful transaction.
Futures contracts also entail other risks. Although the use of such contracts may benefit a Fund, if investment judgment about the general direction of, for example, an index is incorrect, a Fund’s overall performance would be worse than if it had not entered into any such contract. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as variations in speculative market demand for futures, including technical influences in futures trading, and differences between the financial instruments being hedged and the instruments underlying the standard contracts available for trading in such respects as interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends. A Fund may invest in the following types of futures contracts: |
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Index Futures Contracts. An index futures contract, such as an equity index futures contract or a bond index futures contract, is based on the value of an underlying index. Futures contracts on indices expose a Fund to volatility in an underlying index.
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Interest Rate Futures Contracts. An interest rate futures contract is a contract for the future delivery of an interest-bearing debt security. Interest rate futures contracts expose a Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates. A Fund could suffer a loss if interest rates rise after a Fund has purchased an interest rate futures contract or fall after a Fund has sold an interest rate futures contract.
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Treasury Futures Contracts. A Treasury futures contract is a contract for the future delivery of a U.S. Treasury security. Treasury futures contracts expose a Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates and to potential losses if interest rates do not move as expected.
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Options. A Fund may purchase and sell put options and call options, each a type of derivative instrument, on securities and foreign currencies. A call option is “covered” if a Fund simultaneously holds an equivalent position in the security underlying the option. Where the underlying security is a convertible bond, the call option is considered to be uncovered until the option is exercised.
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An option is a contract that gives the purchaser (holder) of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (call) or sell to (put) the seller (writer) of the option the security or currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option (normally not exceeding nine months). The writer of an option has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver or pay the value of the underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security or currency.
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When a Fund writes a call option, it is obligated to sell a security to a purchaser at a specified price at any time until a certain date if the purchaser decides to exercise the option. A Fund will receive a premium for writing a call option. So long as the obligation of the call option continues, a Fund may be assigned an exercise notice, requiring it to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price. A Fund may be obligated to deliver securities underlying an option at less than the market price. By writing a covered call option, a Fund forgoes, in exchange for the premium less the commission (“net premium”), the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security or currency above the exercise price. If a call option that a Fund has written expires unexercised, a Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, that gain may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If a call option is exercised, a Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security.
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When a Fund writes a put option, it is obligated to acquire a security at a certain price at any time until a certain date if the purchaser decides to exercise the option. A Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option. By writing a put option, a Fund, in exchange for the net premium received, accepts the risk of a decline in the market value of the underlying security or currency below the exercise price. A Fund may terminate its obligation as the writer of a call or put option by purchasing a corresponding option with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option previously written. If a put option that a Fund has written expires unexercised, a Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium. When a Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium received by a Fund is included in the liability section of a Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount of the deferred credit will be subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market value of the option written. The current market value of a traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked price. If an option expires unexercised on its stipulated expiration date or if a Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, a Fund will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold), and the deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated.
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A closing purchase transaction for exchange-traded options may be made only on a national securities exchange. It is impossible to predict the volume of trading that may exist in such options, and there can be no assurance that viable exchange markets will develop or continue. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for a particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options, such as OTC options, no secondary market on an exchange may exist. The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying securities markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets. A Fund may use NDOs, which are foreign exchange products designed to assist in reducing the foreign exchange risk, in particular situations when physical delivery of the underlying currencies is not required or not possible.
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A Fund may write (sell) and purchase covered or uncovered call and covered put options on foreign currencies for hedging or non-hedging purposes. A Fund may use options on foreign currencies to protect against decreases in the U.S. dollar value of securities held or increases in the U.S. dollar cost of securities to be acquired by a Fund or to protect the U.S. dollar equivalent of dividends, interest, or other payments on those securities. In addition, a Fund may write and purchase covered or uncovered call and covered put options on foreign currencies for non-hedging purposes (e.g., when the Manager or sub-advisor anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but securities denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not held in a Fund’s investment portfolio). A Fund may write covered or uncovered call and covered put options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities alone.
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Currency options have characteristics and risks similar to those of securities options, as discussed herein. Certain options on foreign currencies are traded on the OTC market and involve liquidity and credit risks that may not be present in the case of exchange-traded currency options.
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Swap Agreements. A swap is a transaction in which a Fund and a counterparty agree to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (e.g., interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps) or the performance of specified securities or indices based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). Nearly any type of derivative, including forward contracts, can be structured as a swap. See “Derivatives” for a further discussion of derivatives risks. Swap agreements can be structured to provide exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. For example, in an interest rate swap, fixed-rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments; in a currency swap, U.S. dollar-denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in a foreign currency; and in a total return swap, payments tied to the investment return on a particular asset, group of assets or index may be exchanged for payments that are effectively equivalent to interest payments or for payments tied to the return on another asset, group of assets, or index. Swaps may have a leverage component, and adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in gains or losses that are substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Some swaps currently are, and more in the future will be, centrally cleared. Swaps that are centrally-cleared are exposed to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations (and, consequently, that of their members - generally, banks and broker-dealers) involved in the transaction. For example, an investor could lose margin payments it has deposited with the clearing organization as well as the net amount of gains not yet paid by the clearing organization if it breaches its agreement with the investor or becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of the clearing organization, the investor may be able to recover only a portion of the net amount of gains on its transactions and of the margin owed to it, potentially resulting in losses to the investor. Swaps that are not centrally cleared involve the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap might decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Fund. Changing conditions in a particular market area, whether or not directly related to the referenced assets that underlie the swap agreement, may have an adverse impact on the creditworthiness of a counterparty. To mitigate this risk, a Fund will only enter into swap agreements with counterparties considered by the sub-advisor to present minimum risk of default, and a Fund normally obtains collateral to secure its exposure. Swaps involve the risk that, if the swap declines in value, additional margin would be required to maintain the margin level. The seller may require a Fund to deposit additional sums to cover this, and this may be at short notice. If additional margin is not provided in time, the seller may liquidate the positions at a loss, which may cause a Fund to owe money to the seller. The centrally cleared and OTC swap agreements into which a Fund enters normally provide for the obligations of a Fund and its counterparty in the event of a default or other early termination to be determined on a net basis. Similarly, periodic payments on a swap transaction that are due by each party on the same day normally are netted. The use of swap agreements requires special skills, knowledge and investment techniques that differ from those required for normal portfolio management. Swaps may be considered illiquid investments, and a Fund may be unable to sell a swap agreement to a third party at a favorable price; see “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” for a description of liquidity risk. A Fund may invest in the following types of swaps:
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Credit Default Swaps. In a credit default swap, one party (the seller) agrees to make a payment to the other party (the buyer) in the event that a “credit event,” such as a default or issuer insolvency, occurs with respect to one or more underlying or “reference” bonds or other debt securities. Credit default swaps may be on a single security, a basket of securities or on a securities index. A Fund may be either a seller or a buyer of credit protection under a credit default swap. The purchaser pays a fee during the life of the swap. If there is a credit event with respect to a referenced debt security, the seller under a credit default swap may be required to pay the buyer the par amount (or a specified percentage of the par amount) of that security in exchange for receiving the referenced security (or a specified alternative security) from the buyer. Alternatively, the credit default swap may be cash settled, meaning that the seller will pay the buyer the difference between the par value and the market value of the defaulted bonds. If the swap is on a basket of securities (such as the CDX indices), the notional amount of the swap is reduced by the par amount of the defaulted bond, and the fixed payments are then made on the reduced notional amount.
Taking a long position in (i.e., acting as the seller under) a credit default swap increases the exposure to the specific issuers, and the seller could experience a loss if a credit event occurs and the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has deteriorated. As a seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Taking a short position in (i.e., acting as the buyer under) a credit default swap results in opposite exposures for a Fund. The risks of being the buyer of credit default swaps include the cost of paying for credit protection if there are no credit events, pricing transparency when assessing the cost of a credit default swap, counterparty risk, and the need to fund any delivery obligation, particularly in the event of adverse pricing when purchasing bonds to satisfy a delivery obligation. Credit default swap buyers are also subject to counterparty risk since the ability of the seller to make required payments is dependent on its creditworthiness. |
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Interest Rate and Inflation Swaps. In an interest rate swap, the parties exchange payments based on fixed or floating interest rates multiplied by a hypothetical or “notional” amount. For example, one party might agree to pay the other a specified fixed rate on the notional amount in exchange for recovering a floating rate on that notional amount. Interest rate swap agreements entail both interest rate risk and counterparty risk. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. There is a risk that based on movements of interest rates, the payments made under a swap agreement will be greater than the payments received. A Fund may also invest in inflation swaps, where an inflation rate index is used in place of an interest rate index.
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Total Return Swaps. In a total return swap transaction, one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return on a defined underlying asset such as a security or basket of securities or on a referenced index during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return from a different underlying asset or index. Total return swap agreements may be used to gain exposure to price changes in an overall market or an asset. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to a Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap, which may exceed a Fund’s net assets. If a Fund is the total return receiver in a total return swap, then the credit risk for an underlying
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asset is transferred to a Fund in exchange for its receipt of the return (appreciation) on that asset or index. If a Fund is the total return payer, it is hedging the downside risk of an underlying asset or index but it is obligated to pay the amount of any appreciation on that asset or index. Total return swaps could result in losses if the underlying asset or index does not perform as anticipated. Written total return swaps can have the potential for unlimited losses.
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Structured Notes. A Fund may invest in structured notes, which are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or interest payments linked to the value of a reference instrument (for example, a commodity, a foreign currency, an index of securities, an interest rate or other financial indicators). The payments on a structured note may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared to a fixed interest rate, the exchange rates between two currencies, one or more securities or a securities or commodities index. A structured note may be positively or negatively indexed. For example, its principal amount and/or interest rate may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases, depending upon the terms of the instrument. The change in the principal amount payable with respect to, or the interest rate of, a structured note may be a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying reference instrument or instruments, which can make the value of such securities volatile. This type of note increases the potential for income but at a greater risk of loss than a typical debt security of the same maturity and credit quality. Structured notes can be used to increase a Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of assets or to hedge the risks of other investments that a Fund holds.
Structured notes are subject to interest rate risk. They are also subject to credit risk with respect both to the issuer and, if applicable, to the underlying security or borrower. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The price of structured notes may be very volatile and they may have a limited trading market, making it difficult to value them or sell them at an acceptable price. In some cases, a Fund may enter into agreements with an issuer of structured notes to purchase minimum amounts of those notes over time. Certain issuers of structured products may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the Investment Company Act. As a result, a Fund’s investments in these structured products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in other investment companies. Please also see “Structured Products and Structured Notes Risk” below. |
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Warrants. Warrants are options to purchase an issuer’s securities at a stated price during a stated term, usually at a price below the initial offering price of the securities and before the securities are offered to the general public. If the market price of the underlying common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire worthless. As a result, warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. Warrants usually have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the value of a warrant may be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the value of the underlying common stock. Warrants may be purchased with values that vary depending on the change in value of one or more specified indices (“index warrants”). Index warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of the exercise. Warrants are usually freely transferable, but may not be as liquid as exchange-traded options, and the market for warrants may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price.
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Common Stock. Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt, and preferred stock.
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Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.
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High-Yield Bonds. High-yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. These bonds are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global, and Fitch, Inc. currently rate them below Baa3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see “Appendix C: Ratings Definitions” below for an explanation of the ratings applied to high-yield bonds. High-yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their lower credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in a Fund. The lower rating of certain high-yield corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed-income security also may affect the value of these investments; however, allocating investments in a Fund among securities of different issuers should reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yield securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns, periods of rising interest rates, or when inflation or deflation occurs, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. They may also not have more traditional methods of financing available to them and may be unable to repay debt at maturity by refinancing. In addition, lower-rated securities may experience substantial price declines when there is an expectation that issuers of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the yields on lower-rated securities can rise dramatically. However, the higher yields of high-yield securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default. If an issuer defaults, a Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for a Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, a Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in a Fund’s current dividend payment. In the event of an in court or out of court restructuring of high-yield bond in which a Fund invests, a Fund may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants that it receives. In addition, the market for high-yield securities generally is less robust and active than that for higher-rated securities, which may limit a Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets and could make the valuation of these portfolio securities more difficult.
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Emerging Market Securities. A Fund may invest in emerging market securities. A Fund may consider a country to be an emerging market country based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, if the country is classified as an emerging or developing economy by any supranational organization such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation or the United Nations, or related entities, or if the country is considered an emerging market country for purposes of constructing emerging markets indices. Investments in emerging market country securities involve special risks. The economies, markets and political structures of a number of the emerging market countries in which a Fund can invest do not compare favorably with the United States and other mature economies in terms of wealth and stability. Therefore, investments in these countries may be riskier, and will be subject to erratic and abrupt price movements. These risks are discussed below.
Economies: The economies of emerging market countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, reliable access to capital, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, balance of payments and trade difficulties. Some economies are less well developed and less diverse (for example, Latin America, Eastern Europe and certain Asian countries), and may be heavily dependent upon international trade, as well as the economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. Such economies accordingly have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist or retaliatory measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. Similarly, many of these countries have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of national and external debt, severe recession, and extreme poverty and unemployment. The economies of emerging market countries may be based predominately on only a few industries or may be dependent on revenues from participating commodities or on international aid or developmental assistance. Emerging market economies may develop unevenly or may never fully develop. Investments in countries that have recently begun moving away from central planning and state-owned industries toward free markets, such as the Eastern European, Russian or Chinese economies, should be regarded as speculative. Governments: Emerging markets may have uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability. While government involvement in the private sector varies in degree among emerging market countries, such involvement may in some cases include government ownership of companies in certain sectors, wage and price controls or imposition of trade barriers and other protectionist measures. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In addition, there is no guarantee that some future economic or political crisis will not lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, confiscatory taxation or creation of government monopolies to the possible detriment of a Fund’s investments. In such event, it is possible that a Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected markets. Emerging market countries may have national policies that limit a Fund’s investment opportunities such as restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some emerging market countries. In addition, if a Fund invests in a market where restrictions are considered acceptable, a country could impose new or additional repatriation restrictions after investment that are unacceptable. This might require, among other things, applying to the appropriate authorities for a waiver of the restrictions or engaging in transactions in other markets designed to offset the risks of decline in that country. Further, some attractive securities may not be available, or may require a premium for purchase, due to foreign shareholders already holding the maximum amount legally permissible. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with emerging capital markets may impose differential capital gain taxes on foreign investors. An issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of an emerging market country’s debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, and, in the case of a government debtor, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole and the political constraints to which a government debtor may be subject. Government debtors may default on their debt and may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. Holders of government debt may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to government debtors. There may be limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign government fixed-income securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign government debt obligations in the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements. Capital Markets: The capital markets in emerging market countries may be underdeveloped. They may have low or non-existent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities, as compared to securities from more developed capital markets. Emerging market securities may be substantially less liquid and more volatile than those of mature markets, and securities may be held by a limited number of investors. This may adversely affect the timing and pricing of a Fund’s acquisition or disposal of securities. There may be less publicly available information about emerging markets than would be available in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to |
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accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. In certain countries with emerging capital markets, reporting standards vary widely. As a result, traditional investment measurements used in the U.S., may not be applicable. Investing in certain countries with emerging capital markets may entail purchasing securities issued by or on behalf of entities that are insolvent, bankrupt, in default or otherwise engaged in an attempt to reorganize or reschedule their obligations, and in entities that have little or no proven credit rating or credit history. In any such case, the issuer’s poor or deteriorating financial condition may increase the likelihood that the investing Fund will experience losses or diminution in available gains due to bankruptcy, insolvency or fraud. There may also be custodial restrictions or other non-U.S. or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to investments in emerging market countries.
Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because a Fund may use brokers and counterparties that are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. Supervisory authorities also may be unable to apply standards comparable to those in developed markets. Thus, there may be risks that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities belonging to a Fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the systems. In particular, market practice may require that payment be made before receipt of the security being purchased or that delivery of a security be made before payment is received. In such cases, default by a broker or bank (the “counterparty”) through whom the transaction is effected might cause a Fund to suffer a loss. There can be no certainty that a Fund will be successful in eliminating counterparty risk, particularly as counterparties operating in emerging market countries frequently lack the substance or financial resources of those in developed countries. There may also be a danger that, because of uncertainties in the operation of settlement systems in individual markets, competing claims may arise with respect to securities held by or to be transferred to a Fund. Regulatory authorities in some emerging markets currently do not provide the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board with the ability to inspect public accounting firms as required by U.S. law, including sufficient access to inspect audit work papers and practices, or otherwise do not cooperate with U.S. regulators, which potentially could expose investors to significant risks. Legal Systems: Investments in emerging market countries may be affected by the lack, or relatively early development, of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Such capital markets are emerging in a dynamic political and economic environment brought about by events over recent years that have reshaped political boundaries and traditional ideologies. Many emerging market countries have little experience with the corporate form of business organization and may not have well-developed corporation and business laws or concepts of fiduciary duty in the business context. The organizational structures of certain issuers in emerging markets may limit investor rights and recourse. A Fund may encounter substantial difficulties in obtaining and enforcing judgments against individuals and companies located in certain emerging market countries, either individually or in combination with other shareholders. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain or enforce legislation or remedies against governments, their agencies and sponsored entities. Additionally, in certain emerging market countries, fraud, corruption and attempts at market manipulation may be more prevalent than in developed market countries. Shareholder claims that are common in the U.S. and are generally viewed as determining misconduct, including class action securities law and fraud claims, generally are difficult or impossible to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in many emerging markets. The laws in certain countries with emerging capital markets may be based upon or be highly influenced by religious codes or rules. The interpretation of how these laws apply to certain investments may change over time, which could have a negative impact on those investments and a Fund. Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions, including declines in its stock markets and the value of the ruble against the U.S. dollar, are impossible to predict, but could be significant. Any such disruptions caused by Russian military action or other actions (including cyberattacks and espionage) or resulting actual and threatened responses to such activity, including purchasing and financing restrictions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government, Russian companies or Russian individuals, including politicians, may impact Russia’s economy and Russian issuers of securities in which a Fund invests. Actual and threatened responses to such activity, including purchasing restrictions, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government or Russian companies, may impact Russia’s economy and Russian issuers of securities in which a Fund invests. Actual and threatened responses to such military action may also impact the markets for certain Russian commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors of the Russian economy, and may likely have collateral impacts on such sectors globally, and may negatively affect global supply chains, inflation and global growth. These and any related events could significantly impact a Fund’s performance and the value of an investment in a Fund, even if a Fund does not have direct exposure to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion. Governments in the United States and many other countries (collectively, the “Sanctioning Bodies”) have imposed economic sanctions, which can consist of prohibiting certain securities trades, certain private transactions in the energy sector, asset freezes and prohibition of all business, against certain Russian individuals, including politicians, and Russian corporate and banking entities. The Sanctioning Bodies, or others, could also institute broader sanctions on Russia, including banning Russia from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. These sanctions, or even the threat of further sanctions, may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy. These sanctions could also result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities and/or funds invested in prohibited assets, impairing the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities and/or assets. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. |
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European Securities. A Fund’s performance may be affected by political, social and economic conditions in Europe, such as the growth of the economic output (the gross national product of the countries in the region), the rate of inflation, the rate at which capital is reinvested into European economies, the success of governmental actions to reduce budget deficits, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries, interest rates in European countries, monetary exchange rates between European countries, and conflict between European countries.
The Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”) of the European Union (“EU”) is comprised of EU members that have adopted the euro currency. By adopting the euro as its currency, a member state relinquishes control of its own monetary policies and is subject to fiscal and monetary controls. The EMU requires Eurozone countries to comply with restrictions on interest rates, deficits, debt levels, and inflation rates, fiscal and monetary controls, and other factors. Although the EMU has adopted a common currency and central bank, there is no fiscal union; therefore, money does not automatically flow from countries with surpluses to those with deficits. These restrictions and characteristics may limit the ability of EMU |
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member countries to implement monetary policy to address regional economic conditions and significantly impact every European country and their economic partners, including those countries that are not members of the EMU. In addition, those EU member states that are not currently in the Eurozone (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden), excluding Denmark, are required to seek to comply with convergence criteria to permit entry to the Eurozone. The economies and markets of European countries are often closely connected and interdependent, and events in one country in Europe can have an adverse impact on other European countries. Decreasing imports or exports, changes in governmental or other regulations on trade, changes in the exchange rate of the euro or other European currency, the threat of default or actual default by one or more EU member countries, or other European countries, on its sovereign debt, and/or an economic recession in one or more European countries may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of other European countries and major trading partners outside Europe.
The European financial markets have experienced and may continue to experience volatility and adverse trends due to concerns relating to economic downturns; rising government debt levels and national unemployment; the possible default of government debt in several European countries; public health crises; political unrest; economic sanctions; inflation; energy crises; the future of the euro as a common currency; and war and military conflict, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures and other reforms, may not produce the desired results, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or may have unintended consequences. In order to prevent further economic deterioration, certain countries, without prior warning, can institute “capital controls.” Countries may use these controls to restrict volatile movements of capital entering and exiting their country. Such controls may negatively affect a Fund’s investments. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching. Many European nations are susceptible to economic risks associated with high levels of debt. Non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts, and other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations. A default or debt restructuring by any European country could adversely impact holders of that country’s debt and sellers of credit default swaps linked to that country’s creditworthiness, which may be located in other countries. Such a default or debt restructuring could affect exposures to other European countries and their financial companies as well. Further defaults on, or restructurings of, the debt of governments or other entities could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, issuers may face difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions may require government or central bank support, or need to raise capital, and/or be impaired in their ability to extend credit. Furthermore, certain European countries have had to accept assistance from supranational agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism or others. The European Central Bank has also intervened to purchase Eurozone debt in an attempt to stabilize markets and reduce borrowing costs. There can be no assurance that any creditors or supranational agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance, and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these creditors. Certain European countries have also developed increasingly strained relationships with the U.S., and if these relationships were to worsen, they could adversely affect European issuers that rely on the U.S. for trade. In addition, the national politics of European countries have been unpredictable and subject to influence by disruptive political groups, ideologies, and polarizing political events such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Secessionist movements, as well as government or other responses to such movements, may create instability and uncertainty in a country or region. European governments may be subject to change and such countries may experience social and political unrest. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. The occurrence of terrorist incidents throughout Europe and in the Middle East also could impact financial markets, as could military conflicts. For example, Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and retaliatory action, may disrupt supply chains and cause difficulties for impacted businesses, including those that wish to ship goods through that route. The impact of these kinds of events could be significant and far-reaching and materially impact the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments. Russia’s war with Ukraine has negatively impacted European economic activity. The Russia/Ukraine war and Russia’s response to sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries are impossible to predict, but have severely impacted the performance of the economies of European and other countries, including through adverse effects to global financial and energy markets, global supply chains and global growth, and consequential inflation. Investments in companies with contractual relationships with Russian counterparties, or with significant operations and/or assets in Russia could be adversely impacted by the new legal, political, and regulatory environment, whether by increased costs or the termination of business plans or operations due to sanctions. Various companies operating in Russia, or with Russian counterparties, have faced difficulties enforcing Russian debts or contractual reliefs due to the Russian court’s hostility towards European companies in response to sanctions. Certain countries have applied to become new member countries of the EU, and these candidate countries’ accessions may become more controversial to the existing EU members. Some member states may repudiate certain candidate countries joining the EU due to concerns about the possible economic, immigration and cultural implications. Certain other countries have applied to join or, in the case of Finland and Sweden, have recently joined, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”). Russia is understood to oppose certain expansions, or potential expansions, of NATO and the EU, and its reaction to such developments could negatively impact European economic activity. The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union on January 31, 2020 and entered into a transition period, which ended on December 31, 2020. The longer-term economic, legal, and political framework between the United Kingdom and the EU is still developing and may lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the global market. Investments in companies with significant operations and/or assets in the United Kingdom could be adversely impacted by the new legal, political, and regulatory environment, whether by increased costs or impediments to the implementation of business plans. The uncertainty resulting from any further exits from the EU, or the possibility of such exits, would also be likely to cause market disruption in the EU and more broadly across the global economy, as well as introduce further legal, political, and regulatory uncertainty in Europe. |
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United Kingdom Securities. Exposure to issuers located in, or with economic ties to, the United Kingdom, could expose a Fund to risks associated with investments in the United Kingdom to a greater extent than more geographically diverse funds, including regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risks specific to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in Europe, and the United States and other European countries are substantial trading partners of the United Kingdom. As a result, the United Kingdom economy
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may be impacted by changes to the economic condition of the United States and other European countries.
On December 31, 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union in an event commonly referred to as “Brexit.” The United Kingdom and the European Union then reached a trade agreement that became effective on May 1, 2021, after being ratified by all applicable United Kingdom and European Union governmental bodies. Until the economic effects of Brexit become clearer, and while a period of political, regulatory and commercial uncertainty continues, there remains a risk that Brexit may have a negative impact on the United Kingdom, the broader global economy, or the value of the British pound sterling, any of which may impact the value of Fund investments. The United Kingdom’s economy relies heavily on the export of financial services to the United States and other European countries. At the end of March 2021, the UK and the European Union concluded technical discussions on the content of a Memorandum of Understanding on financial services, setting out how the UK and EU financial services regulators will co-operate and share information. The implementation of this legal framework and basis of co-operation remains to be seen, and so the period following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union is expected to be one of significant political and economic uncertainty, particularly until the United Kingdom government and EU member states agree and implement the terms of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union. Although the sub-advisor may hedge Fund currency exposures back to the U.S. dollar, a depreciation of the British pound sterling and/or the Euro in relation to the U.S. dollar as a result of Brexit could adversely affect Fund investments denominated in British pound sterling or Euros that are not fully hedged regardless of the performance of the underlying issuer. |
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Pacific Basin Securities. The Pacific Basin region includes countries in various stages of economic development. Many Pacific Basin countries may be subject to a greater degree of social, political and economic instability than is the case in the U.S. and Western European countries. Such instability may result from, among other things, (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision-making, including changes in government through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection. In addition, the Pacific Basin geographic region has historically been prone to natural disasters. The occurrence of a natural disaster in the region, including the subsequent recovery, could negatively impact the economy of any country in the region. Natural disasters may become more frequent and severe as a result of global climate change. Given the particular vulnerability of the region to the effects of climate change, disruptions in international efforts to address climate-related issues may have a disproportionate impact on investments in the region. The existence of overburdened infrastructure and obsolete financial systems also presents risks in certain Pacific Basin countries, as do environmental problems.
The economies of most Pacific Basin countries are heavily dependent on international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners, principally, the U.S., Japan, China and the EU. The enactment by the U.S. or other principal trading partners of protectionist trade legislation, reduction of foreign investment in the local economies and general declines in the international securities markets could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of the Pacific Basin countries. The economies of certain Pacific Basin countries may depend to a significant degree upon only a few industries and/or exports of primary commodities and, therefore, are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices that, in turn, may be affected by a variety of factors. In addition, certain developing Asian countries, such as the Philippines and India, are especially large debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. Many of the Pacific Basin economies may be intertwined, so an economic downturn in one country may result in, or be accompanied by, an economic downturn in other countries in the region. Furthermore, many of the Pacific Basin economies are characterized by high inflation, underdeveloped financial services sectors, heavy reliance on international trade, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations. The economies of many countries in the region may be heavily dependent on international trade and may accordingly be affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners, principally, the U.S., Japan, China and the EU. The enactment by the U.S. or other principal trading partners of protectionist trade legislation, reduction of foreign investment in the local economies and general declines in the international securities markets could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of these countries. The economies of certain countries may depend to a significant degree upon only a few industries and/or exports of primary commodities and, therefore, be vulnerable to changes in commodity prices or a weakening of global demand for these products that, in turn, may be affected by a variety of factors, including, for example, decline in growth rates in China, which could significantly lower demand for the natural resources many countries export. Since China has been such a major source of demand for raw materials and a supplier of foreign direct investment to exporting economies, the slowdown of the Chinese economy could significantly affect regional growth. In addition, the trading relationship between China and several Pacific Basin countries has been strained by the geopolitical conflict created by competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, which has created diplomatic tension in the region that may adversely impact the economies of the affected countries. The Australia and New Zealand economies are also heavily dependent on the economies of China and other Pacific Basin countries. Many of the Pacific Basin economies may be intertwined, so an economic downturn in one country may result in, or be accompanied by, an economic downturn in other countries in the region. Furthermore, many of the Pacific Basin economies may be characterized by higher inflation than other economies, underdeveloped financial services sectors, heavy reliance on international trade, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations, or restrictions, political and social instability, and less efficient markets. The securities markets in certain Pacific Basin countries may be substantially smaller, have less trading volume, and be less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the U.S., and some of the stock exchanges in the region are in the early stages of their development, as compared to the stock exchanges in the U.S. Equity securities of many companies in the region may be less liquid and more volatile than equity securities of U.S. companies of comparable size. Additionally, companies traded on stock exchanges in the region may be smaller and less seasoned than companies whose securities are traded on stock exchanges in the U.S. A high proportion of the shares of many issuers may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment by a Fund. In some countries, there may be no established secondary market for securities. Therefore, liquidity of securities may be generally low and transaction costs generally high. Similarly, volume and liquidity in the bond markets in the Pacific Basin are less than in the U.S. and, at times, price volatility can be greater than in the U.S. A limited number of issuers in Pacific Basin securities markets may represent a disproportionately large percentage of market capitalization and trading value. The limited liquidity of securities markets in the Pacific Basin may also affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so. In addition, the Pacific Basin securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities. Exchanges in the region are smaller and less seasoned than companies whose securities are traded on stock |
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exchanges in the U.S. A high proportion of the shares of many issuers may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment by a Fund. In some countries, there is no established secondary market for securities. Therefore, liquidity of securities may be generally low and transaction costs generally high. Similarly, volume and liquidity in the Pacific Basin bond markets are less than in the U.S. and, at times, price volatility can be greater than in the U.S. A limited number of issuers in Pacific Basin securities markets may represent a disproportionately large percentage of market capitalization and trading value. The limited liquidity of securities markets in the region may also affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so. In addition, the region’s securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities.
The legal systems in certain developing market Pacific Basin countries also may have an adverse impact on a Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain Pacific Basin countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in Pacific Basin companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain and/or enforce a judgment in a Pacific Basin country. Many stock markets are undergoing a period of growth and change which may result in trading volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulations. With respect to investments in the currencies of Pacific Basin countries, changes in the value of those currencies against the U.S. dollar will result in corresponding changes in the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s assets denominated in those currencies. Certain developing economies in the Pacific Basin region have experienced currency fluctuations, devaluations, and restrictions; unstable employment rates; rapid fluctuation in, among other things, inflation and reliance on exports; and less efficient markets. Currency fluctuations or devaluations in any one country can have a significant effect on the entire Pacific Basin region. Holding securities in currencies that are devalued (or in companies whose revenues are substantially in currencies that are devalued) will likely decrease the value of a Fund’s investments. Some developing Pacific Basin countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities such as a Fund. For example, certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular company or limit the investment by foreign persons to only a specific class of securities of a company which may have less advantageous terms (including price and shareholder rights) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals of the relevant country. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to obtain required governmental approvals in a timely manner. In addition, changes to restrictions on foreign ownership of securities subsequent to a Fund’s purchase of such securities may have an adverse effect on the value of such shares. Certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Any of the above could adversely affect the value of a Fund’s investments. |
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Adjustable Rate Mortgages (“ARMs”). ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, certain ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on an ARM, any such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly payments. The adjustable interest rate feature of the mortgages underlying ARMs generally acts as a buffer to reduce sharp changes in the market value of ARMs in response to normal interest rate fluctuations. As the interest rate on the mortgages underlying ARMs are reset periodically, yields of the securities will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market rates. During periods of rising interest rates, however, changes in the coupon rate lag behind changes in the market rate. During periods of extreme fluctuations in interest rates, the resulting fluctuation of ARM rates could affect the ARM’s market value. Most ARMs generally have annual reset limits or “caps,” for example of 100 to 200 basis points. Fluctuation in interest rates above these levels could cause such mortgage-backed securities to “cap out” and to behave more like long-term, fixed-rate debt securities. During periods of declining interest rates, the coupon rates may readjust downward, and result in lower yields. Because of this feature, the value of ARMs will likely not rise during periods of declining interest rates to the same extent as fixed-rate instruments.
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Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (“CMO”) Residuals. CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses and any management fee of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to pre-payments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-backed securities. See “Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities.” In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described elsewhere with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual.
CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. In addition, CMO residuals may, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the Securities Act. CMO residuals, whether or not registered under the Securities Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid” and subject to a Fund’s limitations on investment in illiquid securities. Liquidity in CMO trading markets also may be limited, and CMO residuals may be significantly more volatile than other CMO interests. |
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Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). A CMO is a debt obligation of a legal entity that is collateralized by mortgages or mortgage-related assets. These securities may be issued by U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. CMOs divide the cash flow generated from the underlying mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities into different groups referred to as “tranches,” which are typically retired sequentially over time in order of priority. Interest and prepaid principal is paid, in most cases, on a monthly basis. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans or private mortgage bonds, but they are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA; FHLMC and FNMA (each a government-sponsored enterprise and may be owned entirely by private shareholders); and their income streams.
The issuers of CMOs are structured as trusts or corporations established for the purpose of issuing such CMOs and often have no assets other than |
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those underlying the securities and any credit support provided. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government or government-sponsored enterprises, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, any government-sponsored enterprise, or any other person or entity. Prepayments could cause early retirement of CMOs. Payment of interest or principal on certain tranches of CMOs may be subject to contingencies, and certain tranches may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages. CMO tranches are generally retired in sequence as the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid. If enough mortgages are repaid ahead of schedule, the CMO tranches with the earliest maturities generally will be retired prior to their stated maturity date. Thus, the early retirement of particular tranches of a CMO would have a similar effect as the prepayment of mortgages underlying other MBS. Conversely, slower than anticipated prepayments can extend the effective maturities of CMOs, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of a Fund’s investments in CMOs. An increase or decrease in prepayment rates (resulting from a decrease or increase in mortgage interest rates) will affect the yield, average life, and price of CMOs. Under certain CMO structures, certain tranches have priority over others with respect to the receipt of repayments on the mortgages. Therefore, depending on the type of CMOs in which a Fund invests, the investment may be subject to a greater or lesser risk of prepayment than other types of mortgage-related securities. The prices of certain CMOs, depending on their structure and the rate of prepayments, can be volatile. Some CMOs may also not be as liquid as other securities.
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Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities (“CMBS”).
CMBS include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real estate property.
CMBS are generally multi-class or pass-through securities backed by a mortgage loan or a pool of mortgage loans secured
by commercial property, such as industrial and warehouse properties, office buildings, retail space and shopping malls,
multifamily properties and cooperative apartments. The commercial mortgage loans that underlie CMBS are generally not
amortizing or not fully amortizing. That is, at their maturity date, repayment of the remaining principal balance or “balloon”
is due and is repaid through the attainment of an additional loan or sale of the property. Many of the risks of investing
in CMBS reflect the risk of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans. These risks reflect the
effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of borrowers to make loan payments,
and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. CMBS may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility
than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.
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Mortgage Dollar Rolls. A Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls in which a Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase fungible securities (e.g., same type, coupon, and maturity) on a specified future date at a pre-determined price. During the roll period, a Fund would lose the right to receive principal (including prepayments of principal) and interest paid on the securities sold. However, a Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) or fee income plus the return earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. If such benefits do not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the Fund would incur a loss.
A Fund only enters into covered dollar rolls, which means that a Fund will earmark cash or liquid securities to secure its obligation for the forward commitment to buy mortgage-backed securities plus any accrued interest, marked-to-market daily. Mortgage dollar roll transactions may be considered a borrowing under certain circumstances. Since a Fund may reinvest the cash proceeds from the sale, the transactions may involve leverage. Each mortgage dollar roll transaction is accounted for as a sale or purchase of a portfolio security and a subsequent purchase or sale of a substantially similar security in the forward market. Mortgage dollar roll transactions may result in higher transaction costs, increase interest rate risk or result in an increased portfolio turnover rate. Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities subject to a Fund’s forward purchase commitment may decline below, or the market value of the securities subject to a Fund’s forward sale commitment may increase above, the exercise price of the forward commitment. Additionally, because dollar roll transactions do not require the purchase and sale of identical securities, the characteristics of the security delivered to a Fund may be less favorable than the security delivered to the dealer. The successful use of dollar rolls may depend upon the sub-advisor’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments, depending on the underlying security. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed. In addition, in the event the buyer of the securities under a mortgage dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund’s use of the proceeds of the sale portion of the transaction may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to purchase the similar securities in the forward transaction. |
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Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Mortgage pass-through securities are securities representing interests in “pools” of mortgages in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are generally made monthly, in effect “passing through” monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the residential mortgage loans that underlie the securities (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). There are generally three types of mortgage pass-through securities: (1) those issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, such as GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC; (2) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities; and (3) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or pass-through securities without a government guarantee but that usually have some form of private credit enhancement.
The rate of pre-payments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may have the effect of shortening or extending the effective duration of the security relative to what was anticipated at the time of purchase. To the extent that unanticipated rates of pre-payment on underlying mortgages increase the effective duration of a mortgage-related security, the volatility of such security can be expected to increase. Government and Government-Related Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, as in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA, or guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, as in the case of securities guaranteed by FNMA or FHLMC, which are supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations. |
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There are a number of important differences among the agencies of the U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. Such agencies and securities include:
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GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (“Ginnie Maes”) — GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers Home Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. Ginnie Maes entitle the holder to receive all payments (including prepayments) of principal and interest owed by the individual mortgagors, net of fees paid to GNMA and to the issuer that assembles the mortgage pool and passes through the monthly mortgage payments to the certificate holders (typically, a mortgage banking firm), regardless of whether the individual mortgagor actually makes the payment. Because payments are made to certificate holders regardless of whether payments are actually received on the underlying mortgages, Ginnie Maes are of the “modified pass-through” mortgage certificate type. GNMA guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on Ginnie Maes. GNMA’s guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and GNMA has unlimited authority to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under the guarantee. The market for Ginnie Maes is highly liquid because of the government guarantee, the size of the market, and the active participation in the secondary market of security dealers and a variety of investors.
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FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (“Freddie Macs”) — FHLMC is a government-sponsored enterprise owned by stockholders; it is similar to Fannie Mae. FHLMC issues participation certificates that represent interests in mortgages from its national portfolio. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States. Freddie Macs represent interests in groups of specified first lien residential conventional mortgages underwritten and owned by FHLMC. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. In cases where FHLMC has not guaranteed timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due because of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable.
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FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (“Fannie Maes”) — FNMA is a government-sponsored enterprise owned by stockholders; it is similar to Freddie Mac. It is subject to general regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Authority (“FHFA”). Fannie Maes entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FNMA. FNMA guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. In cases where FNMA has not guaranteed timely payment of principal, FNMA may remit the amount due because of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable. Fannie Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of conventional mortgage loans secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust, on one family or two to four family, residential properties. FNMA is obligated to distribute scheduled monthly installments of principal and interest on the mortgages in the pool, whether or not received, plus full principal of any foreclosed or otherwise liquidated mortgages.
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The U.S. Treasury has historically had the authority to purchase obligations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, in 2008, due to capitalization concerns, Congress provided the Treasury with additional authority to lend Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac emergency funds and to purchase their stock. In September 2008, the Treasury and the FHFA announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed in conservatorship. Since that time, FNMA and FHLMC have received significant capital support through Treasury preferred stock purchases, as well as Treasury and Federal Reserve purchases of their mortgage - backed securities. The FHFA and the U.S. Treasury (through its agreement to purchase FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock) have imposed strict limits on the size of their mortgage portfolios. While the mortgage-backed securities purchase programs ended in 2010, the Treasury continued its support for the entities’ capital as necessary to prevent a negative net worth. When a credit rating agency downgraded long-term U.S. Government debt in August 2011, the agency also downgraded FNMA and FHLMC’s bond ratings, from AAA to AA+, based on their direct reliance on the U.S. Government (although that rating did not directly relate to their mortgage-backed securities). In August 2012, the Treasury amended its preferred stock purchase agreements to provide that FNMA’s and FHLMC’s portfolios will be wound down at an annual rate of 15 percent (up from the previously agreed annual rate of 10 percent), requiring them to reach the $250 billion target by December 31, 2018. FNMA and FHLMC were below the $250 billion cap for year-end 2018.
On December 21, 2017, a letter agreement between the Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac changed the terms of the senior preferred stock certificates issued to the Treasury to permit the GSEs each to retain a $3 billion capital reserve, quarterly. Under the 2017 letter, each GSE paid a dividend to Treasury equal to the amount that its net worth exceeded $3 billion at the end of each quarter. On September 30, 2019, the Treasury and the FHFA, acting as conservator to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, announced amendments to the respective senior preferred stock certificates that will permit the GSEs to retain earnings beyond the $3 billion capital reserves previously allowed through the 2017 letter agreements. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now permitted to maintain capital reserves of $25 billion and $20 billion, respectively. In late 2020, the FHFA issued a new capital rule requiring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to hold $283 billion in unadjusted total capital as of June 30, 2020, based on their assets at the time. In January 2021, the FHFA and the U.S. Treasury agreed to amend the preferred stock purchase agreements for the shares in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that the federal government continues to hold. The amendments permit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to retain all earnings until they have reached the requirements set by the 2020 capital rule. The problems faced by FNMA and FHLMC, resulting from their being placed into federal conservatorship and receiving significant U.S. Government support, sparked serious debate among federal policymakers regarding the continued role of the U.S. Government in providing liquidity for mortgage loans. In December 2011, Congress enacted the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 which, among other provisions, requires that FNMA and FHLMC increase their single-family guaranty fees by at least 10 basis points and remit this increase to the Treasury with respect to all loans acquired by FNMA or FHLMC on or after April 1, 2012 and before January 1, 2022. There have been discussions among policymakers, however, as to whether FNMA and FHLMC should be nationalized, privatized, restructured or eliminated altogether. FNMA and FHLMC also are the subject of several continuing legal actions and investigations over certain accounting, disclosure or corporate governance matters, which (along with any resulting financial restatements) may continue to have an adverse effect on the guaranteeing entities. Under the direction of the FHFA, FNMA and FHLMC jointly developed a common securitization platform for the issuance of a uniform mortgage-backed security (“UMBS”) (the “Single Security Initiative”) that aligns the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. In June 2019, |
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under the Single Security Initiative, FNMA and FHLMC started issuing UMBS in place of their prior offerings of TBA-eligible securities. The Single Security Initiative seeks to support the overall liquidity of the TBA market by aligning the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. The effects that the Single Security Initiative may have on the market for TBA and other mortgage-backed securities are uncertain.
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Mortgage Pass-Through Securities Issued by Private Organizations — The pools underlying privately-issued mortgage pass-through securities consist of mortgage loans secured by mortgages or deeds of trust creating a first lien on commercial, residential, residential multi-family and mixed residential/commercial properties. Pools created by non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government guarantees of payments in such pools. The timely payment of interest and principal on mortgage loans in these pools may be supported by various other forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, pool and hazard insurance, subordination and letters of credit. Such insurance and guarantees may be issued by private insurers, banks and mortgage poolers. There is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers, if any, will meet their obligations. Timely payment of interest and principal of these pools also may be partially supported by various enhancements such as over-collateralization and senior/subordination structures and by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance. The insurance and guarantees are issued by government entities, private insurers or the mortgage poolers. These mortgage pass-through securities do not have the same credit standing as U.S. government guaranteed securities and generally offer a higher yield than similar securities issued by a government entity. Some mortgage pass-through securities issued by private organizations may not be readily marketable, may be more difficult to value accurately and may be more volatile than similar securities issued by a government entity.
Many transactions in the fixed-rate mortgage pass-through securities occur through the use of TBA transactions. TBA transactions are generally conducted in accordance with widely-accepted guidelines that establish commonly observed terms and conditions for execution, settlement and delivery. In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller decided on general trade parameters, such as agency, settlement date, par amount and price. The actual pools delivered generally are determined two days prior to settlement date. Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose a Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. |
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Residential
Mortgage-Backed Securities (“RMBS”).
RMBSs include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, interest paid on loans for residential real
property, such as mortgages, home-equity loans and subprime mortgages. Some RMBSs, called agency RMBSs, are guaranteed
or supported by U.S. government agencies or by government sponsored enterprises, such as the Federal National Mortgage
Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”).
Non-agency RMBS, generally created by banks and other financial institutions, are not guaranteed or supported by these
government agencies or government sponsored enterprises. Residential loans may be prepaid at any time. Prepayments could
reduce the yield received on the related issue of RMBS. RMBS are particularly susceptible to prepayment risk, as they
generally do not contain prepayment penalties and a reduction in interest rates will increase the prepayments on the RMBS,
resulting in a reduction in yield to maturity for holders of such securities.
Residential mortgage loans in an issue of RMBS may be subject to various U.S. federal and state laws, public policies and principles of equity that protect consumers which, among other things, may regulate interest rates and other fees, require certain disclosures, require licensing of originators, prohibit discriminatory lending practices, regulate the use of consumer credit information, and regulate debt collection practices. In addition, a number of legislative proposals have been introduced in the United States at both the federal, state, and municipal level that are designed to discourage predatory lending practices. Violation of such laws, public policies, and principles may limit the servicer’s ability to collect all or part of the principal or interest on a residential mortgage loan, entitle the borrower to a refund of amounts previously paid by it, or subject the servicer to damages and administrative enforcement. Any such violation could also result in cash flow delays and losses on the related issue of RMBS. Credit-related risk on RMBS arises from losses due to delinquencies and defaults by the borrowers in payments on the underlying mortgage loans and breaches by originators and servicers of their obligations under the underlying documentation pursuant to which the RMBS are issued. If a residential mortgage loan is in default, foreclosure of such residential mortgage loan may be a lengthy and difficult process, and may involve significant expenses. Furthermore, the market for defaulted residential mortgage loans or foreclosed properties may be very limited. The net proceeds obtained by the holder on a residential mortgage loan following the foreclosure on the related property may be less than the total amount that remains due on the loan. The prospect of incurring a loss upon the foreclosure of the related property may lead the holder of the residential mortgage loan to restructure the residential mortgage loan or otherwise delay the foreclosure process. |
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Stripped
Mortgage-Backed Securities (“SMBS”).
SMBS are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. SMBS are created when a U.S. government agency or a financial institution
separates the interest and principal components of a MBS and sells them as individual securities. SMBS may be issued by
agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including
savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the
foregoing. SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal
distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving some of the interest and
most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder
of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO”
class), while the other class will receive the entire principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). A Fund
may invest in both the IO class and the PO class. The prices of stripped MBS may be particularly affected by changes in
interest rates and the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. As
interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs.
Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect. The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the
rate of principal payments (including pre-payments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal
payments in excess of that considered in pricing the securities may have a material adverse effect on a Fund’s
yield to maturity from these securities. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated pre-payments
of principal, a Fund may fail to recoup some or all of its initial investment in these securities even if the security
is in one of the highest rating categories. In addition, there are certain types of IOs that represent the interest portion
of a particular class as opposed to the interest portion of the entire pool. The sensitivity of this type of IO to interest
rate fluctuations may be increased because of the characteristics of the principal portion to which they relate. The secondary
market for stripped MBS may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other MBS, potentially limiting a Fund’s
ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.
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Anticipation Notes. Tax, revenue or bond anticipation notes are issued by municipalities in expectation of future tax or other revenues that are payable from those taxes or revenues. Bond anticipation notes usually provide interim financing in advance of an issue of bonds or notes, the proceeds of which are used to repay the anticipation notes.
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Commercial Paper. Commercial paper, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, is issued by municipalities to help finance short-term capital or operating needs in anticipation of future tax or other revenue.
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General Obligation Bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the pledge of the issuer’s full faith, credit, and usually, taxing power and are payable from and backed only by the issuer’s general unrestricted revenues and not from any particular fund or source. The characteristics and method of enforcement of general obligation bonds vary according to the law applicable to the particular issuer, and payment may be dependent upon appropriation by the issuer’s legislative body. The taxing power may be an unlimited ad valorem tax or a limited tax, usually on real estate and personal property. Most states do not tax real estate, but leave that power to local units of government.
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Municipal Lease Obligations. Municipal lease obligations are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land and a wide variety of equipment and facilities. These obligations typically are not fully backed by the municipality’s credit and thus interest thereon may become taxable if the lease is assigned. If funds are not appropriated for the following year’s lease payments, a lease may terminate with the possibility of default on the lease obligation.
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Municipal Warrants. Municipal warrants are essentially call options on municipal bonds. In exchange for a premium, municipal warrants give the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a municipal bond in the future. A Fund may purchase a warrant to lock in forward supply in an environment where the current issuance of bonds is sharply reduced. Like options, warrants may expire worthless and they may have reduced liquidity.
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Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds are issued to finance, among other things, privately operated housing facilities, pollution control facilities, convention or trade show facilities, mass transit, airport, port or parking facilities and certain facilities for water supply, gas, electricity, sewage or solid waste disposal. Private activity bonds are also issued to privately held or publicly owned corporations in the financing of commercial or industrial facilities. The principal and interest on these obligations may be payable from the general revenues of the users of such facilities. They are not backed by the credit of any governmental or public authority.
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Refunded Bonds. A Fund may invest in refunded municipal bonds. Refunded municipal bonds are tax-exempt bonds that have been refunded to a call date prior to the final maturity of principal, or, in the case of refunded municipal bonds commonly referred to as “escrowed-to-maturity bonds” (“ETMs”), to the final maturity of principal, and that remain outstanding in the municipal market. The payment of principal and interest of the refunded municipal bonds held by a Fund is funded from a designated escrow account that holds U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities (“Agency Securities”)) and/or other high-quality bonds. As the payment of principal and interest is generated from securities held in an escrow account established by the municipality and an independent escrow agent, the pledge of the municipality has been fulfilled, and the original pledge of revenue by the municipality is no longer in place. Refunded municipal bonds may be re-rated by a rating agency to an AAA/Aaa rating based on their backing by U.S. Treasury securities and/or Agency Securities. If a refunded bond loses its rating upon refunding, the Index Provider removes it from the Underlying Index. The escrow account securities pledged to pay the principal and interest of the refunded municipal bond do not guarantee the price movement of the bond before call or maturity. Issuers of municipal bonds refund in advance of maturity the outstanding higher cost debt and issue new, lower cost debt in the form of a refunding bond, placing the proceeds of the refunding bond into an escrow account to refund the older, higher cost debt. Investments in refunded municipal bonds may subject a Fund to credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, market risk and secured, partially secured and unsecured obligation risk. To the extent permitted by the SEC and the IRS, a Fund’s investment in refunded municipal bonds backed by U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities in the manner described above, will, for purposes of any diversification tests applicable to a Fund, be considered an investment in the respective U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities. If a bond is issued to refund a municipal bond more than 90 days before the redemption of the refunded bond, the interest on the new bond, known as an advance refunding bond, will not be tax-exempt. This does not, however, impact the tax-exempt nature of the interest on the refunded bond.
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Resource Recovery Obligations. Resource recovery obligations are a type of municipal revenue obligation issued to build facilities such as solid waste incinerators or waste-to-energy plants. Usually, a private corporation will be involved and the revenue cash flow will be supported by fees or units paid by municipalities for use of the facilities. The viability of a resource recovery project, environmental protection regulations and project operator tax incentives may affect the value and credit quality of these obligations.
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Revenue Obligations. Revenue obligations, such as industrial development bonds, are backed by the revenue cash flow of a project or facility. The interest on such obligations is payable only from the revenues derived from a particular project, facility, specific excise tax or other revenue source. Revenue obligations are not a debt or liability of the local or state government and do not obligate that government to levy or pledge any form of taxation or to make any appropriation for payment.
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ETFs. A Fund may purchase shares of ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock and passive ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. Typically, a Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, a Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and a Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF decline in value. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds: (1) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to their NAV per share; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
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Money Market Funds. A Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as money market funds under the Investment Company Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. A Fund would invest in money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. Although a money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the money market fund has purchased may reduce the money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a money market security to decrease. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent a Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund, or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts redeemed from the money market fund.
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| 1 | Engage in dollar rolls or purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. The purchase or sale of when-issued securities enables an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices by locking in an attractive price or yield. The price of when-issued securities is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase or sell is made, but delivery and payment for the when-issued securities takes place at a later date, normally one to two months after the date of purchase. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the purchaser to the issuer and no interest accrues to the purchaser. Such transactions therefore involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date. A sale of a when-issued security also involves the risk that the other party will be unable to settle the transaction. Dollar rolls are a type of forward commitment transaction. Purchases and sales of securities on a forward commitment basis involve a commitment to purchase or sell securities with payment and delivery to take place at some future date, normally one to two months after the date of the transaction. As with when-issued securities, these transactions involve certain risks, but they also enable an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. Forward commitment transactions are executed for existing obligations, whereas in a when-issued transaction, the obligations have not yet been issued. |
| 2 | Invest in other investment companies (including affiliated investment companies) to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, or exemptive relief granted by the SEC. |
| 3 | Loan securities to broker-dealers or other institutional investors. Securities loans will not be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans by a Fund exceeds 33¹/3% of its total assets (including the market value of collateral received). For purposes of complying with a Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, collateral received in connection with securities loans is deemed an asset of a Fund to the extent required by law. |
| 4 | Enter into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which securities are acquired by a Fund from a securities dealer or bank subject to resale at an agreed upon price on a later date. The acquiring Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and a Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. However, the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, attempts to minimize this risk by entering into repurchase agreements only with financial institutions that are deemed to be of good financial standing. |
| 5 | Purchase securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. A Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in Section 4(a)(2) securities and illiquid securities unless the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, determines that any Section 4(a)(2) securities held by such Fund in excess of this level are liquid. |
| 1 | Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnership interests, provided, however, that the Funds may dispose of real estate acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or other instruments and invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein when consistent with the other policies and limitations described in the Prospectus. |
| 2 | Invest in physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling foreign currency, options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, securities on a forward-commitment or delayed-delivery basis, and other similar financial instruments). |
| 3 | Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of securities, the Funds may be deemed an underwriter under federal securities law. |
| 4 | Lend any security or make any other loan except (i) as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act, (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, (iii) through the purchase of a portion of an issue of debt securities in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, or (iv) by engaging in repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities. |
| 5 | Issue any senior security except as otherwise permitted (i) under the Investment Company Act or (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff. |
| 6 | Borrow money, except as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act or pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, including (i) as a temporary measure, (ii) by entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and (iii) by lending portfolio securities as collateral. For purposes of this investment limitation, the purchase or sale of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and other similar financial instruments shall not constitute borrowing. |
| 7 | Invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value) in securities of any one issuer, other than obligations issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or purchase more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer, with respect to 75% of the Funds’ total assets. |
| 8 | Invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of companies primarily engaged in any particular industry or group of industries provided that this limitation does not apply to: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; and (ii) tax-exempt securities issued by municipalities or their agencies and authorities. |
| 1 | Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including time deposits and repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days; or |
| 2 | Purchase securities on margin, except that (1) a Fund may obtain such short term credits necessary for the clearance of transactions, and (2) a Fund may make margin payments in connection with foreign currency, futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, securities purchased or sold on a forward-commitment or delayed-delivery basis or other financial instruments. |
| 1 | a complete list of holdings for each Fund on an annual and semi-annual basis within seventy days of the end of each fiscal semi-annual period in publicly available filings of Form N-CSR with the SEC (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov) and on the Funds’ website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com); |
| 2 | a complete list of holdings for each Fund as of the end of each fiscal quarter in publicly available filings of Form N-PORT with the SEC within sixty days of the end of the fiscal quarter (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov); |
| 3 | a complete list of holdings for the American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund and American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund as of the end of each month on the Funds’ website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com) approximately twenty days after the end of each month; and |
| 4 | the ten largest holdings for each Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter on the Funds’ website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com) and in sales materials approximately fifteen days after the end of the calendar quarter. |
|
Service Provider
|
Service
|
Holdings Access
|
|
Manager
|
Investment management and administrator
|
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
|
|
Sub-Advisor
|
Investment management
|
Holdings under sub-advisor’s management on intraday basis with no lag
|
|
Service Provider
|
Service
|
Holdings Access
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust Co. (“State Street”) and its designated foreign sub-custodians
|
Securities lending agent for Funds that participate in securities lending, Fund’s custodian and foreign custody manager, sub-administrator, Fund administration service provider, and foreign sub-custodian
|
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
|
|
KPMG International
|
Service provider to State Street
|
Complete list on annual basis with lag
|
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
|
Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm
|
Complete list on annual basis with no lag
|
|
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.
|
Performance and portfolio analytics reporting for the Manager
|
Complete list on daily basis with no lag
|
|
Bloomberg, L.P.
|
Performance and portfolio analytics reporting
|
Complete list on daily basis with no lag
|
|
Acuity Knowledge Partners (UK) Limited
|
Marketing material production for the Manager
|
Complete list on quarterly basis with no lag
|
|
Mountain & Co., LLC d/b/a Blue Flame Thinking
|
Hosting and maintenance of the Trust’s website
|
Complete list prior to publication on the Trust’s website
|
| 1 | Recipients of portfolio holdings information must agree in writing to keep the information confidential until it has been posted to the Funds’ website and not to trade based on the information; |
| 2 | Holdings may only be disclosed as of a month-end date; |
| 3 | No compensation may be paid to the Funds, the Manager or any other party in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities; and |
| 4 | A member of the Manager’s Compliance staff must approve requests for nonpublic holdings information. |
|
Name and Year of Birth*
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
|
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
|
|||
|
Eugene J. Duffy
(1954)** |
Trustee since 2008
|
Trustee since 2017
|
Capital Formation and Currency Solutions, Mesirow Financial Administrative Corporation: Managing Director (2016-Present);
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021);
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021)
|
|
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
|
|||
|
Gilbert G. Alvarado
(1969) |
Trustee since 2015
|
Trustee since 2017
|
The Conrad Prebys Foundation: Chief Financial Officer (2022-Present);
Sierra Health Foundation (health conversion private foundation): Executive Vice President & CCO (2022); Senior Vice President & CFO (2012-2022); CFO (2006-2011);
Sierra Health Foundation - Center for Health Program Management (California public benefit corporation): Senior Vice President & CFO (2012- 2022);
SJVIIF, LLC (impact investment fund): President (2018-2022);
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021);
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021).
|
|
Gerard J. Arpey
(1958) |
Trustee since 2012
|
Trustee since 2017
|
Emerald Creek Group (private equity firm): Partner (2011-Present);
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (privately held company): Director (2008-present);
The Home Depot, Inc.: Director (2015-Present);
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021);
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021).
|
|
Claudia A. Holz
(1957) |
Trustee since 2018
|
Trustee since 2018
|
Blue Owl Capital, Inc.: Independent Director (2021-Present);
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021);
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021)
|
|
Douglas A. Lindgren
(1961) |
Chair since 2025
Trustee since 2018 |
Chair since 2025
Trustee since 2018 |
JLL Income Property Trust: Director (2022-Present);
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021);
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021).
|
|
Janet C. Smith***
(1965) |
Trustee since 2025
|
Trustee since 2025
|
Putnam Investments, LLC and Putnam Management: Head of Fund Administration Services (2011–2024);
Putnam Funds Complex (Approximately 105 Funds): Vice President, Principal Financial Officer (2016-2024), Principal Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer (2008-2024), Putnam Ombudsman (2016-2024).
|
|
Paul Zemsky
(1962) |
Trustee since 2025
|
Trustee since 2025
|
Focus Consulting Group: Consulting Partner: (2024-Present);
ML Tech (Crypto Fund-of-Funds): Strategic Advisor: (2024-Present);
Voya Investment Management: Senior Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions (2007–2023); Head of Derivative Strategy and Risk Management, General Account (2005-2006).
|
| * | The Board has adopted a retirement policy that requires Trustees to retire no later than the last day of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75. |
| ** | Mr. Duffy is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by virtue of his position with Mesirow Financial, Inc., a broker-dealer. |
| *** | Prior to July 1, 2024, Ms. Smith served as an officer of certain affiliates of Putnam Investment Management, LLC (“Putnam”), and as Vice President, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer of various registered open-end investment companies for which Putnam serves as investment adviser (“Putnam Funds Complex”). On January 1, 2024, Putnam was acquired (the “Putnam Acquisition”) by Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin”), following which it is under common control with Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine”), an investment adviser to certain series of the Trust. In addition, Jane E. Trust has served on the Boards of Trustees of the Putnam Funds Complex since January 2024 and Ms. Smith served as an officer of the Putnam Funds Complex prior to July 1, 2024, during which period Ms. Trust held positions at the following entities, which are under common control with Brandywine. Based on publicly available information, Ms. Trust has served as Senior Vice President, Fund Board Management at Franklin Templeton since 2020; as President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton Fund Advisor, LLC, and officer and/or trustee/director of its associated funds since 2015; as Senior Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason”) from 2018 to 2020; as Managing Director of Legg Mason from 2016 to 2018; and as Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Fund Advisor, LLC in 2015. In connection with the Putnam Acquisition, Ms. Smith sold her Class B shares of a Putnam affiliate, with a value of approximately $683,000, to a subsidiary of Franklin. In connection with this sale, Ms. Smith may be entitled to certain contingent premium payments depending on the achievement of certain financial metrics, in an amount not to exceed approximately $186,000. Ms. Smith is a participant in a Deferred Executive Compensation Plan relating to her time at Putnam, pursuant to which she will receive approximately $520,000, which will be paid over time by a Franklin affiliate as a result of the Putnam Acquisition. |
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
|
|
|
American Beacon Fund
|
Duffy
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (31 Funds as of December 31, 2025)
|
Over $100,000
|
|
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
|
||||||
|
Alvarado
|
Arpey
|
Holz
|
Lindgren
|
Smith
|
Zemsky
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (31 Funds as of December 31, 2025)
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
None
|
None
|
|
The following table shows total compensation (excluding reimbursements) paid by the Trusts to each Trustee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026.
|
||
|
Name of Trustee
|
Aggregate Compensation from the Trust
|
Total Compensation from the Trusts
|
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
|
||
|
Eugene J. Duffy
|
$205,593
|
$223,750
|
|
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
|
||
|
Gilbert G. Alvarado
|
$228,565
|
$248,750
|
|
Joseph B. Armes*
|
$59,725
|
$65,000
|
|
Gerard J. Arpey
|
$218,457
|
$237,750
|
|
Claudia A. Holz
|
$228,545
|
$248,750
|
|
Douglas A. Lindgren
|
$255,211
|
$277,750
|
|
Barbara J. McKenna**
|
$154,367
|
$168,000
|
|
Janet C. Smith***
|
$146,787
|
$159,750
|
|
Paul Zemsky***
|
$146,787
|
$159,750
|
| * | Mr. Armes received compensation from the Trusts up to his retirement from the Board on June 5, 2025. Mr. Armes was not eligible for the benefits afforded to Eligible Trustees who served on the Board prior to September 12, 2008 as described below. |
| ** | Ms. McKenna received compensation from the Trusts up to her retirement from the Board on December 31, 2025. Ms. McKenna was not eligible for the benefits afforded to Eligible Trustees who served on the Board prior to September 12, 2008 as described below. |
| *** | Ms. Smith and Mr. Zemsky became Trustees on August 18, 2025. Accordingly, the table reflects estimated compensation for Ms. Smith and Mr. Zemsky for the period August 18, 2025 – March 31, 2026. |
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
|
|
OFFICERS
|
|||
|
Gregory Stumm
(1981) |
President and Principal Executive Officer
since June 2024 Vice President
2022-2024 |
President and Principal Executive Officer
since June 2024 Vice President
2022-2024 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024)
National Investment Services of America, LLC: Director (2024-Present)
Resolute Acquisition, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024)
Resolute Topco, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present)
Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024 -Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024)
Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Director (June 2024-2025), President (June 2024-2025), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-2025), Senior Vice President, (2022-2024)
Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: President (2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (2024-Present), Director (2022-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024)
RSW Investments Holdings LLC: Director (2024-Present)
Shapiro Capital Management, LLC: Director (2024-Present)
SSI Investment Management, LLC: Director (2024-Present)
|
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
|
|
Rosemary K. Behan
(1959) |
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
since 2006 |
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
since 2017 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2006-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2006-Present)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (2018-2021)
American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Secretary (2014-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd.: Secretary (2023-2026)
American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Secretary (2018-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Secretary (2023-Present)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (2018-2021)
American Private Equity Management, LLC: Secretary (2008-2024)
Continuous Capital, LLC: Vice President and Secretary (2018-2022)
Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC: Secretary (2019-2021)
Resolute Acquisition, Inc.: Secretary (2015-Present)
Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: Secretary (2017-Present)
Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC: Secretary (2015-2025)
Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2015-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2015-Present)
Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-2025), Vice President (2017-2025), Secretary and General Counsel (2017-2025)
Resolute Topco, Inc.: Secretary (2015-Present)
|
|
Paul B. Cavazos
(1969) |
Vice President
since 2016 |
Vice President
since 2017 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President (2016-Present)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President (2018-2021)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President (2018-2021)
American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.: Vice President (2017-2024)
|
|
Bernadette A. Bridy
(1972) |
Vice President
since 2026 |
Vice President
since 2026 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Marketing Officer (2025-Present)
Future Standard (formerly known as FS Investments): Managing Director (2020-2025)
|
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
|
|
Rebecca L. Harris
(1966) |
Vice President
2022-May 2024, June 2024-Present President
May 2024-June 2024 Assistant Secretary
2010-2022 |
Vice President
2022-2024, June 2024-Present President
May 2024-June 2024 Assistant Secretary
2017-2022 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Operating Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May-June 2024), President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024), Vice President (2011-2021)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021)
Continuous Capital, LLC: Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022)
National Investment Services of America, LLC: Director (2022-Present)
Resolute Acquisition, Inc.: Senior Vice President (January 2024-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May 2024-June 2024), President May 2024-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May 2024-June 2024)
Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Chief Operating Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May-June 2024), President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024), Vice President (2017-2021)
Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-2025), Director (May-June 2024), President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024), Vice President (2017-2021)
Resolute Topco, Inc.: Senior Vice President (January 2024-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May 2024-June 2024), President (May 2024-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May 2024-June 2024)
American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Director and President (March 2026-Present)
American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Director and President (March 2026-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Director and President (March 2026-Present)
RSW Investments Holdings LLC: Director (2022-Present)
Shapiro Capital Management LLC: Director (2022-Present)
SSI Investment Management LLC: Director (2022-Present)
|
|
Terri L. McKinney
(1963) |
Vice President
since 2010 |
Vice President
since 2017 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Fund Services Officer (2026-Present), Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President, (2009-2021)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President (2018-2021)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President (2018-2021)
Continuous Capital, LLC: Vice President (2018-2022)
Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021)
Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-2025), Vice President (2018-2025)
Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: Director (2024-Present), Vice President (2024-Present)
|
|
Samuel J. Silver
(1963) |
Vice President
since 2011 |
Vice President
since 2017 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President (2018-2021)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President (2018-2021)
|
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
|
|
Christina E. Sears
(1971) |
Chief Compliance Officer
since 2004 Assistant Secretary since 1999 |
Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary
since 2017 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present), Senior Vice President (2026-Present), Vice President (2019-2026)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary (2018-2021)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary (2018-2021)
American Private Equity Management, LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2012-2024)
Continuous Capital, LLC.: Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022)
Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2019-2021)
Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: Vice President (2017-Present)
Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Vice President (2017-Present)
Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Vice President (2019-2025)
RSW Investments Holdings, LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2019-Present)
Shapiro Capital Management LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2024-Present)
|
|
Shelley D. Abrahams
(1974) |
Assistant Secretary
since 2008 |
Assistant Secretary
since 2017 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Assistant Secretary (April 2024-Present), Director of Corporate Governance (2026-Present)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021)
American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary (2022-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary (2023-2026)
American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Assistant Secretary (2022-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary (2023-Present)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021)
Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Assistant Secretary (April 2024-Present)
Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Corporate Governance Manager (2023-2024), Assistant Secretary (2024-2025), Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-2023), Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2017-2020)
|
|
Carmen E. Fahy
(1976) |
Assistant Secretary
since 2026 |
Assistant Secretary
since 2026 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Associate General Counsel (2025-Present)
Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Dept. of Labor: Senior Trial Attorney (2023-2025)
Systematic Holdings, LLC: Corporate Counsel (2022-2023)
|
|
Aaron C. Cooper
(1985) |
Principal Accounting Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer
since April 1, 2026 Assistant Treasurer
March 2026 |
Principal Accounting Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer
since April 1, 2026 Assistant Treasurer
March 2026 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Director, Fund Reporting (2024-Present), Manager, Fund Reporting (2021-2024)
American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Treasurer (March 2026-Present)
American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Assistant Treasurer (March 2026-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (March 2026-Present)
Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Assistant Treasurer (March 2026-Present);
|
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
|
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
|
|
Shelley L. Dyson
(1969) |
Assistant Treasurer
since 2021 |
Assistant Treasurer
since 2021 |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Director, Fund Tax (2024-Present)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Assistant Treasurer (2021)
American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (2022-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (2023-2026)
American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Assistant Treasurer (2022-Present)
American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (2023-Present)
American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Assistant Treasurer (2021)
Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Director, Fund Tax (2024-2025), Fund Tax Manager (2020-2024), Manager, Tax (2014-2020)
|
|
Shareholder Address
|
Fund Percentage (listed if over 25%)
|
A CLASS
|
C CLASS
|
Y CLASS
|
R5 CLASS
|
INVESTOR CLASS
|
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
|
18.55%
|
33.29%
|
13.93%
|
23.43%
|
31.87%
|
|
|
SPECIAL CUST A/C
|
||||||
|
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
|
||||||
|
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
|
||||||
|
211 MAIN ST
|
||||||
|
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1901
|
|
Shareholder Address
|
Fund Percentage (listed if over 25%)
|
A CLASS
|
C CLASS
|
Y CLASS
|
R5 CLASS
|
INVESTOR CLASS
|
|
LPL FINANCIAL*
|
8.71%
|
8.28%
|
12.33%
|
|||
|
4707 EXECUTIVE DR
|
||||||
|
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091
|
||||||
|
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC*
|
14.72%
|
|||||
|
(HOUSE ACCOUNT)
|
||||||
|
THE AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
|
||||||
|
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST
|
||||||
|
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
|
||||||
|
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC*
|
34.93%
|
|||||
|
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENE OF ITS CUST
|
||||||
|
1 NEW YORK PLZ FL 12
|
||||||
|
NEW YORK NY 10004-1965
|
||||||
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC*
|
5.19%
|
21.74%
|
18.41%
|
30.52%
|
||
|
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF
|
||||||
|
OUR CUSTOMERS
|
||||||
|
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
|
||||||
|
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
|
||||||
|
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
|
||||||
|
PERSHING LLC*
|
8.67%
|
23.31%
|
5.68%
|
|||
|
1 PERSHING PLZ
|
||||||
|
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001
|
||||||
|
RAYMOND JAMES*
|
12.07%
|
23.93%
|
6.32%
|
6.60%
|
||
|
OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
|
||||||
|
HOUSE ACCT FIRM 92500015
|
||||||
|
ATTN MUTUAL FUND RECONCILIATION 14G
|
||||||
|
880 CARILLON PKWY
|
||||||
|
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
|
||||||
|
UBS WM USA*
|
8.17%
|
|||||
|
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
|
||||||
|
SPEC CDY A/C EBOC UBSFSI
|
||||||
|
1000 HARBOR BLVD
|
||||||
|
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
|
||||||
|
ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
|
18.12%
|
|||||
|
RETIREMENT SYSTEM
|
||||||
|
124 W CAPITOL AVE STE 400
|
||||||
|
LITTLE ROCK AR 72201-3700
|
||||||
|
ASCENSUS TRUST COMPANY FBO
|
10.33%
|
|||||
|
THE LAW FORUM LLC 689680
|
||||||
|
P.O. BOX 10758
|
||||||
|
FARGO ND 58106-0758
|
||||||
|
SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
|
21.02%
|
|||||
|
C/O FTCI
|
||||||
|
1 FREEDOM VALLEY DRIVE
|
||||||
|
OAKS PA 19456-9989
|
| * | Denotes record owner of Fund shares only |
|
Shareholder Address
|
Fund Percentage (listed if over 25%)
|
Y CLASS
|
R6 CLASS
|
INVESTOR CLASS
|
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
|
31.59%
|
|||
|
SPECIAL CUST A/C
|
||||
|
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
|
||||
|
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
|
||||
|
211 MAIN ST
|
||||
|
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1901
|
||||
|
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS*
|
7.00%
|
|||
|
ACCT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BEN OF CUST
|
||||
|
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR FL 3RD
|
||||
|
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
|
||||
|
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC*
|
9.46%
|
|||
|
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENE OF ITS CUST
|
||||
|
1 NEW YORK PLZ FL 12
|
||||
|
NEW YORK NY 10004-1965
|
||||
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC*
|
7.37%
|
40.29%
|
||
|
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF
|
||||
|
OUR CUSTOMERS
|
||||
|
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
|
||||
|
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
|
||||
|
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
|
||||
|
VANGUARD BROKERAGE SERVICES*
|
6.64%
|
|||
|
BIN 11111111
|
||||
|
100 VANGUARD BLVD
|
||||
|
MALVERN PA 19355-2331
|
||||
|
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS
|
100.00%
|
|||
|
220 LAS COLINAS BLVD E STE 1200
|
||||
|
IRVING TX 75039-5500
|
||||
|
DOUBLELINE CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
|
71.26%
|
72.85%
|
||
|
2002 N TAMPA ST STE 200
|
||||
|
TAMPA FL 33602-2116
|
| * | Denotes record owner of Fund shares only |
|
DoubleLine Capital LP (“DoubleLine Capital”)
|
||
|
Controlling Person/Entity
|
Basis of Control
|
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business
|
|
DoubleLine Management LP
|
Limited Partner
|
Financial Services
|
|
DoubleLine Capital GP LLC
|
General Partner of DoubleLine Management LP
|
Financial Services
|
|
Jeffrey Edward Gundlach
|
Greater than 25% Ownership of DoubleLine Management LP
|
Financial Services
|
|
Controlling Person/Entity
|
Basis of Control
|
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business
|
|
Resolute Topco, Inc.
|
Ultimate Parent Company
|
Holding Company – Founded in 2015
|
|
First $5 billion
|
0.35%
|
|
Next $5 billion
|
0.325%
|
|
Next $10 billion
|
0.30%
|
|
Over $20 billion
|
0.275%
|
|
First $170 million
|
0.10%
|
|
Over $170 million
|
0.15%
|
|
■
|
complying with reporting requirements;
|
|
■
|
corresponding with shareholders;
|
|
■
|
maintaining internal bookkeeping, accounting and auditing services and records;
|
|
■
|
supervising the provision of services to the Trust by third parties; and
|
|
■
|
administering the Funds’ interfund lending facility and lines of credit, if applicable.
|
|
Management Fees Paid to American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (Gross)
|
|||
|
March 31, 2024
|
March 31, 2025
|
March 31, 20261
|
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
$14,392
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
$52,241
|
| 1 | The figures reflect the management fees paid to the Manager for the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
|
Fees Paid to DoubleLine Capital LP (Gross)
|
||||
|
March 31, 2024
|
March 31, 2025
|
April 1, 2025 - February 20. 2026
|
February 23, 2026 - March 31, 2026
|
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund1
|
$960,871
|
$876,174
|
$522,914
|
$57,569
|
|
0.50%
|
0.50%
|
0.50%
|
0.40%
|
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
$139,703
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
0.40%
|
|
| 1 | The figures reflect amounts paid to DoubleLine Capital in its role as investment advisor for the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund for periods prior to February 23, 2026, and amounts paid to DoubleLine Capital in its role as sub-advisor to the Floating Rate Fund for the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
| 2 | The figures reflect the sub-advisory fees paid to DoubleLine Capital for the period from the Select Income Fund’s commencement of operations, February 23, 2026, through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
|
Management Fees (Waived)/Recouped
|
||||
|
March 31, 2024
|
March 31, 2025
|
April 1, 2025 - February 20. 2026
|
February 23, 2026 - March 31, 2026
|
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund1
|
$(41)
|
$(6,326)
|
$0
|
$(14,392)
|
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
0.01%
|
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
$0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
0.00%
|
|
| 1 | The figures reflect amounts waived by DoubleLine Capital in its role as investment advisor for the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund for periods prior to February 23, 2026, and amounts waived by the Manager in its role as manager to the Floating Rate Fund for the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
| 2 | The figures reflect amounts waived by the Manager for the period from the Select Income Fund’s commencement of operations, February 23, 2026, through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
|
A Class1
|
|
|
Fund
|
Distribution Fee
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
$1,996
|
| 1 | For the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
|
C Class1
|
|
|
Fund
|
Distribution Fee
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
$4,581
|
| 1 | For the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
|
Investor Class
|
|
|
Fund
|
Distribution Fee
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
$34,9201
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
$15,6792
|
| 1 | The Floating Rate Fund acquired all the assets and assume all the liabilities of the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund in a reorganization that occurred on February 20, 2026, pursuant to which the Investor Class shares of the Floating Rate Fund adopted the prior performance and financial history of the Class N shares of the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund. These figures reflect amounts paid by the Class N shares of the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund for the period prior to February 23, 2026. |
| 2 | For the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
|
Service Plan Fees
|
||||
|
2024
|
2025
|
2026
|
||
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
A Class
|
-
|
-
|
$1,9961
|
|
C Class
|
-
|
-
|
$1,1451
|
|
|
Y Shares2
|
$53,750
|
$60,946
|
$0
|
|
|
Investor Class2
|
$5,374
|
$6,871
|
$6,904
|
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
Investor Class
|
-
|
-
|
$3,6291
|
| 1 | For the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
| 2 | The Floating Rate Fund acquired all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund in a reorganization that occurred on February 20, 2026, pursuant to which the Investor Class shares of the Floating Rate Fund adopted the prior performance and financial history of the Class N shares of the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund, and the Y Class shares of the Floating Rate Fund adopted the prior performance and financial history of the Class I shares of the Acquired |
| DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund. These figures reflect amounts paid by the applicable class of shares of the Acquired DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund for periods prior to February 23, 2026. The Y Class and Investor Class shares of the Floating Rate Fund did not pay Service Plan fees for the period from February 23, 2026 through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. |
|
American Beacon Fund
|
Sales Charge Revenue
|
Deferred Sales Charge Revenue
|
|||
|
Fiscal Year
|
Amount Paid to Distributor
|
Amount Retained by Distributor
|
Amount Paid to Distributor
|
Amount Retained by Distributor
|
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
2026
|
$11
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
Number of Other Accounts Managed
and Assets by Account Type |
Number of Accounts and Assets for Which
Advisory Fee is Performance-Based |
|||||
|
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
Other Accounts
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
Other Accounts
|
|
DoubleLine Capital LP (“DoubleLine Capital”)
|
||||||
|
Robert Cohen
|
5 ($8.37 bil)
|
7 ($791.9 mil)
|
3 ($733.2 mil)
|
None
|
7 ($791.9 mil)
|
None
|
|
Philip Kenney
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Andrew Hsu
|
7 ($34.0 bil)
|
6 ($2.0 bil)
|
24 ($10.1 bil)
|
None
|
None
|
1 ($915.7 mil)
|
|
Damien Contes
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Managers
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
|
DoubleLine Capital LP
|
||
|
Robert Cohen
|
None
|
N/A
|
|
Philip Kenney
|
None
|
N/A
|
|
Andrew Hsu
|
N/A
|
$100,001-$500,000
|
|
Damien Contes
|
N/A
|
None
|
|
American Beacon Fund
|
2024
|
2025
|
2026
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund
|
$0
|
$0
|
$992
|
|
■
|
individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA, individual 403(b) plan or single-participant Keogh-type plan;
|
|
■
|
business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family (for example, you own the entire business);
|
|
■
|
trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor’s death the trust account may be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts; for trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor’s death the trustees of the trust may instruct the Funds’ transfer agent to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary; each primary beneficiary’s separate trust account may then be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts);
|
|
■
|
endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your immediate family; or
|
|
■
|
529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer plan).
|
|
■
|
for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;
|
|
■
|
made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers as defined in the Investment Company Act, excluding the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;
|
|
■
|
for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any endowments or foundations established and controlled by such organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their endowments, or their foundations; or
|
|
■
|
for individually established participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated similarly to an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales Charges” above), or made for two or more such 403(b) plans that are treated similarly to employer-sponsored plans for sales charge purposes, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the Investment Company Act. Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of a broker-dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.
|
| 1 | current or retired trustees, and officers of the American Beacon Funds family, current or retired employees and directors of the Manager and its affiliated companies, certain family members and employees of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons; |
| 2 | currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed by such representatives, retired registered representatives with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their spouses, and children, including children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses or children of the Eligible Persons are listed in the account registration with the spouse or parent) of broker-dealers who have sales agreements with the Distributor (or who clear transactions through such dealers), plans for the dealers, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses and/or children; |
| 3 | companies exchanging securities with the Funds through a merger, acquisition or exchange offer; |
| 4 | insurance company separate accounts; |
| 5 | accounts managed by the Manager, a sub-advisor to the Funds and their affiliated companies; |
| 6 | the Manager or a sub-advisor to the Funds and their affiliated companies; |
| 7 | an individual or entity with a substantial business relationship with, which may include the officers and employees of the Funds’ custodian or transfer agent, the Manager or a sub-advisor to the Funds and their affiliated companies, or an individual or entity related or relating to such individual or entity; |
| 8 | full-time employees of banks that have sales agreements with the Distributor, who are solely dedicated to directly supporting the sale of mutual funds; |
| 9 | directors, officers and employees of financial institutions that have a selling group agreement with the Distributor; |
| 10 | banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisors and financial planners) that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor or one of its affiliates, purchasing shares on behalf of clients participating in a fund supermarket or in a wrap program, asset allocation program or other program in which the clients pay an asset-based fee; |
| 11 | clients of authorized dealers purchasing shares in fixed or flat fee brokerage accounts; |
| 12 | Employer-sponsored defined contribution - type plans, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and IRA rollovers involving retirement plan assets invested in a Fund in the American Beacon Funds fund family; and |
| 13 | Employee benefit and retirement plans for the Manager and its affiliates. |
|
■
|
redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a joint tenant account) used to purchase Fund shares in an IRA or other individual-type retirement account;
|
|
■
|
“required minimum distributions” (as described in Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code) from an IRA or other individual-type retirement account used to purchase Fund shares in a non-retirement account; and
|
|
■
|
death distributions paid to a beneficiary’s account that are used by the beneficiary to purchase Fund shares in a different account.
|
|
■
|
Any partial or complete redemption following death or “disability” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) of a shareholder (including one who owns the shares with his or her spouse as a joint tenant with rights of survivorship) from an account in which the deceased or disabled is named. The Manager or a Fund’s transfer agent may require documentation prior to waiver of the charge, including death certificates, physicians’ certificates, etc.
|
|
■
|
Redemptions from a systematic withdrawal plan. If the systematic withdrawal plan is based on a fixed dollar amount or number of shares, systematic withdrawal redemptions are limited to no more than 10% of your account value or number of shares per year, as of the date the Manager or a Fund’s transfer agent receives your request. If the systematic withdrawal plan is based on a fixed percentage of your account value, each redemption is limited to an amount that would not exceed 10% of your annual account value at the time of withdrawal.
|
|
■
|
Redemptions from retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. The CDSC will be waived for benefit payments made by American Beacon Funds directly to plan participants. Benefit payments include, but are not limited to, payments resulting from death, “disability,” “retirement,” “separation from service” (each as defined in the Internal Revenue Code), “required minimum distributions” (as described in Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code), in-service distributions, hardships, loans and qualified domestic relations orders. The CDSC waiver will not apply in the event of termination of the plan or transfer of the plan to another financial institution.
|
|
■
|
Redemptions that are required minimum distributions from a traditional IRA as required by the Internal Revenue Service.
|
|
■
|
Involuntary redemptions as a result of your account not meeting the minimum balance requirements, the termination and liquidation of a Fund, or other actions by a Fund.
|
|
■
|
Distributions from accounts for which the broker-dealer of record has entered into a written agreement with the Distributor (or Manager) allowing this waiver.
|
|
■
|
To return excess contributions made to a retirement plan.
|
|
■
|
To return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
|
|
■
|
Derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from (1) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies (together with Qualifying Other Income (as defined below), “Qualifying Income”), or other income, including gains from options, futures or forward contracts, derived with respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies (“Qualifying Other Income”) and (2) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (“QPTP”) (“Gross Income Requirement”). A QPTP is a “publicly traded partnership” (that is, a partnership the interests in which are “traded on an established securities market” or “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof”) (a “PTP”)) that meets certain qualifying income requirements other than a partnership at least 90% of the gross income of which is Qualifying Income;
|
|
■
|
Diversify its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (1) at least 50% of the value of its total assets is represented by cash and cash items, Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities, with those other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of a Fund’s total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities (equity securities of QPTPs being considered voting securities for these purposes), and (2) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in (a) the securities (other than Government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, (b) the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers a Fund controls (by owning 20% or more of their voting power) that are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) the securities of one or more QPTPs (“Diversification Requirements”); and
|
|
■
|
Distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income, the excess (if any) of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and net gains and losses (if any) from certain foreign currency transactions, all determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and 90% of its net exempt interest income (“Distribution Requirement”).
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Frequency of Elections
Electing all directors annually. |
For
|
|
|
Uncontested Elections
Voting management nominees, unless the nominee lacks independence or focus, has had chronic absences or presents other material concerns to the detriment of the effectiveness of the board. |
For
|
|
|
Majority Voting
Allowing majority voting unless incumbent directors must resign if they do not receive a majority vote in an uncontested election |
For
|
|
|
Cumulative Voting
Allowing cumulative voting unless the company previously adopted a majority voting policy |
For
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Changes in Board Structure
Changing the board structure, such as the process for vacancies or director nominations, or the board size, unless there is an indication that the change is an anti-takeover device, or it diminishes shareholder rights |
For
|
|
|
Stock Ownership
Requiring directors to own company shares. |
X
|
Against
|
|
Contested Elections
The qualifications of nominees on both slates, management track record and strategic plan for enhancing shareholder value, and company financial performance generally will be considered when voting nominees in a contested election |
X
|
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Frequency of Say-On-Pay Votes
Annual shareholder advisory votes regarding executive compensation |
X
|
For
|
|
Compensation Disclosures
Seeking additional disclosures related to executive and director pay unless similar information is already provided in existing disclosures or reporting. |
X
|
For
|
|
Executive Compensation Advisory
Executive compensation proposals generally will be assessed based on its structure, prevailing industry practice and benchmarks, and any problematic prior pay practices or related issues involving the board/compensation committee. |
X
|
Case-by-Case
|
|
Golden Parachute Advisory
Golden parachute proposals, in general, will be assessed based on the existing change-in-control arrangements, the nature and terms of the triggering event(s) and the amount to be paid. |
X
|
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Appointment of Auditors
Selecting or ratifying independent auditors, unless there is a material conflict of interest, a history of poor accounting practice or inaccurate opinions, or excessive fees. |
For
|
|
|
Non-Audit/Consulting Services
Other alternative service providers, conflicts of interest, and company disclosures are areas of consideration when voting proposals to limit other engagements with auditors. |
X
|
Case-by-Case
|
|
Indemnification of Auditors
Indemnification of auditors generally will be assessed based on the nature of the engagement, the auditor’s work history and field of expertise, and the terms of the agreement such as its impact on the ability of shareholders to pursue legal recourse against the auditor for certain acts or omissions. |
X
|
Case-by-Case
|
|
Rotation of Auditors
Shareholder proposals requiring auditor rotation generally will be assessed based on any audit issues involving the company, the auditor’s tenure with the company, and policies and practices surrounding auditor evaluations. |
X
|
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Share Classes
Issuance of new classes or series of shares |
For
|
|
|
Investment Objectives
Changing a fundamental investment objective to nonfundamental. |
Against
|
|
|
Investment Restrictions
Changing fundamental restrictions to nonfundamental generally will be assessed in consideration of the target investments, reason(s) for the change and its impact on the portfolio. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
|
Distribution Agreements
Distribution agreements generally will be assessed based on the distributor’s services and reputation, applicable fees, and other terms of the agreement |
Case-by-Case
|
|
|
Investment Advisory Agreements
Investment advisory agreements generally will be assessed based on the applicable fees, fund category and investment objective, and performance. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Appraisal Rights
Providing shareholders with rights of appraisal |
X
|
For
|
|
Fair Price Provision
Fair price provisions that ensures each shareholder’s securities will be purchased at the same price if the company is acquired in disagreement with the board. However, fair price provisions may not be supported if it is used as an anti-takeover device by the board. |
X
|
For
|
|
Special Meetings
Providing or restoring rights to call a special meeting so long as the threshold to call a meeting is no less than 10 percent of outstanding shares |
X
|
For
|
|
Confidential Voting
Allowing shareholders to vote confidentially |
X
|
For
|
|
Written Consents
Allowing shareholders to act by written consent |
X
|
For
|
|
Greenmail
Adopting anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restricting the company’s ability to make greenmail payments for repurchasing shares at a premium to prevent a hostile takeover |
X
|
For
|
|
Supermajority Vote
Requiring a supermajority vote, unless there are disproportionate substantial shareholders that weaken minority votes |
Against
|
|
|
Bundled Proposals
Bundled or conditional proposals generally will be reviewed to determine the benefit or cost of the matters included or if there is a controversy or any matter that is adverse to shareholder interests |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Preemptive Rights
Preemptive rights, in general, will be assessed based on the size of the company and its shareholder base, for which larger publicly held companies with a broad shareholder base may be less ideal. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
|
Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Poison pills generally will be assessed based on the company’s governance practices, existing takeover defenses, and the terms of the plan, including the triggering mechanism, duration, and redemption/rescission features. Requests to have shareholders ratify plans generally will be supported. |
X
|
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Reincorporation
Reincorporating in another state or country in support of the rights and economic interests of shareholders. |
For
|
|
|
Merger, Corporate Restructuring and Spin Offs
Merger, corporate restructuring and spin off proposals generally will be assessed with the view of maximizing the economic value of shareholder interests. The purchase or sale price and other deal terms will be reviewed, among other factors, to ensure that that the transaction is aligned with the long-term interests of shareholders. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
|
Debt Restructuring
The terms of the transaction, current capital markets environment, and conflicts of interest are factors that generally will be considered for ensuring that the proposal enhances the economic value of shareholder interests. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
|
Liquidations and Asset Sales
As with other transaction proposals, the long-term economic impact of the transaction will be the focus of review of such proposals and, in general, factors such as the sale price, costs and conflicts of interest will be considered. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Common Stock
Issuing common stock for recapitalizations, stock splits, dividends or otherwise reasonably amending outstanding shares for a specific purpose |
For
|
|
|
Multi-Class Shares
Adopting multi-class share structures so long as they have equal voting rights. |
For
|
|
|
Repurchase Programs
Adopting plans to repurchase shares in the open market unless shareholders cannot participate on equal terms. |
For
|
|
|
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Allowing the board to issue preferred shares without prior shareholder approval and setting the terms and voting rights of preferred shares at the board’s discretion. |
Against
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Recapitalization Plans
The rationale and objectives; current capital markets environment; impact on shareholder interests including conversion terms, dividends and voting rights; and any material conflicts of interest are factors that generally will be considered when reviewing proposals to reclassify debt or equity capital |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Employee 401 (k) Plan
Adopting a 401 (k) plan for employees. |
For
|
|
|
Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP)
Requiring shareholder approval to adopt a broad-based ESOP or to increase outstanding shares for an existing plan unless the allocation of outstanding shares to the ESOP exceeds five percent or 10 percent among all stock-based plans |
For
|
|
|
Recoupment Provisions (Clawbacks)
Adopting clawback provisions in cases of revised financial results or performance indicators on which prior compensation payments were based, as well as for willful misconduct or violations of law or regulation that result in financial or reputational harm to the company. |
X
|
For
|
|
Limits on Executive or Director Compensation
Setting limits on executive or director compensation unless there is a substantial deviation from industry practice or any problematic issue involving the board/compensation committee or prior pay practices. |
X
|
Against
|
|
Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans
Incentive plans, in general, will be assessed based on the prevailing local and industry-specific practices and performance benchmarks, the terms of the plan and whether they are aligned with company goals and shareholder interests, the cost of the plan, and the overall compensation structure |
Case-by-Case
|
|
|
Severance Agreements for Executives (Golden Parachutes)
Golden parachutes generally will be assessed based on the existing change-in-control arrangements, the nature and terms of the triggering event(s) and the amount to be paid. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Quorum Requirements
Establishing a majority requirement, unless shareholder turnout has been an issue, or a reduced quorum is reasonable based on applicable laws or regulations and the market capitalization or ownership structure of the company. |
For
|
|
|
Annual Meetings
Changing the date, time, or location of annual meetings, unless the proposed schedule or location is unreasonable |
For
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Board Size
Setting the board size, so long as the proposal is consistent with the prevailing industry practice and applicable laws or regulations. |
For
|
|
|
Proxy Access
Allowing shareholders to nominate director candidates in proxy ballots with reasonable limitations (e.g., minimum percentage and duration of ownership and a cap on board representation) for preventing potential abuse by certain shareholders |
X
|
For
|
|
Independent Directors
Requiring the board chair and a majority of directors to be independent directors. Proposals for a lead independent director may be supported in cases where the board chair is not independent |
X
|
For
|
|
Independent Committees
Requiring independent directors exclusively for the audit, compensation, nominating and governance committees. |
X
|
For
|
|
Removal of Directors
Removing a director without cause. |
X
|
For
|
|
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Indemnifying directors and officers for acts and omissions made in good faith and were believed to be in the best interest of the company. Limitations on liability involving willful misconduct or violations of law or regulation, or a breach of fiduciary duty, generally will be voted against |
For
|
|
|
Term Limits for Directors
Imposing term limits on directors unless the director evaluation process is ineffective and related issues persist |
X
|
Against
|
|
Classified Boards
Establishing a classified board. |
Against
|
|
|
Adjournment of Meetings
Providing management the authority to adjourn annual or special meetings without reasonable grounds |
Against
|
|
|
Amendments to Bylaws
Giving the board the authority to amend bylaws without shareholder approval. |
Against
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Environmental and Climate Disclosures
Providing environmental/climate-related disclosures and reporting unless it is duplicative or unsuitable. |
For
|
|
|
Environmental and Climate Policies
Environmental and climate policies generally will be assessed based on the company’s related governance practices, local and industry-specific practices, the nature and extent of environmental and climate risks applicable to the company, and the economic benefit to shareholders |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Human Rights and Labor Disclosures
Providing human rights and labor-related disclosures and reporting unless it is duplicative or unsuitable. |
For
|
|
|
Human Rights and Labor Policies
Human rights and labor policies generally will be assessed based on the company’s related governance practices, applicable law or regulations, local and industry-specific practices, the nature and extent of supply chain or reputational risks applicable to the company, and their economic benefit to shareholders |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
DEI Disclosures
Providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO-1) Reports, and other additional disclosures or reporting unless it is duplicative or unsuitable. |
For
|
|
|
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Adopting an anti-discrimination and harassment policy |
For
|
|
|
Other DEI Policies
Other DEI policies generally will be assessed based on the company’s related governance practices, applicable law or regulations, and local and industry-specific practices |
Case-by-Case
|
|
Proposal
|
Shareholder Proposal
|
Anticipated Vote
|
|
Political Contribution and Activities
Political contributions and lobbying activities generally will be reviewed in consideration of legal restrictions and requirements, applicable policies and historical practice, and its cost-benefit to the company. Related disclosures to shareholders generally are supported. |
Case-by-Case
|
|
|
Charitable Contributions
Charitable contributions, in general, will be reviewed in consideration of applicable policies and historical practice, conflicts of interests, as well as the cost-benefit of charitable spending. Related disclosures to shareholders generally are supported |
Case-by-Case
|
|
American Beacon or the Manager
|
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
|
|
Beacon Funds or the Trust
|
American Beacon Funds
|
|
Board
|
Board of Trustees
|
|
Brexit
|
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union
|
|
CBO
|
Collateralized Bond Obligation
|
|
CCO
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
CD
|
Certificate of Deposit
|
|
CDO
|
Collateralized Debt Obligation
|
|
CDSC
|
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
|
|
CFTC
|
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
|
|
CLO
|
Collateralized Loan Obligation
|
|
CPO
|
Commodity Pool Operator
|
|
Denial of Services
|
A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems
|
|
Dividends
|
Distributions of most or all of the Fund’s net investment income
|
|
Dodd-Frank Act
|
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
|
|
DRD
|
Dividends-received deduction
|
|
ESG
|
Environmental, Social, and/or Governance
|
|
ETF
|
Exchange-Traded Fund
|
|
EU
|
European Union
|
|
FINRA
|
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
|
|
Floaters
|
Floating rate debt instruments
|
|
Forwards
|
Forward Currency Contracts
|
|
Holdings Policy
|
Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
|
|
Internal Revenue Code
|
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
|
|
Investment Company Act
|
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
|
|
IRA
|
Individual Retirement Account
|
|
IRS
|
Internal Revenue Service
|
|
Junk Bonds
|
High yield, non-investment grade bonds
|
|
LIBOR
|
ICE LIBOR
|
|
LOI
|
Letter of Intent
|
|
Management Agreement
|
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager
|
|
Moody’s
|
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
|
|
NAV
|
Net asset value
|
|
NYSE
|
New York Stock Exchange
|
|
OTC
|
Over-the-Counter
|
|
Proxy Policy
|
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
|
|
QDI
|
Qualified Dividend Income
|
|
RIC
|
Regulated Investment Company
|
|
RIH
|
Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC
|
|
S&P Global
|
S&P Global Ratings
|
|
SAI
|
Statement of Additional Information
|
|
SEC
|
Securities and Exchange Commission
|
|
Securities Act
|
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
|
|
State Street
|
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
|
|
Trustee Retirement Plan
|
Trustee Retirement and Trustee Emeritus and Retirement Plan
|
|
UK
|
United Kingdom
|
PART
C
OTHER
INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(a) |
(1) |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated August 27, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 418, filed October 28, 2024 (“PEA 418”) |
|
(2)(i) |
Certificates of Designation for American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund and American Beacon Global Evolution Frontier Markets Income Fund, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, filed December 19, 2014 | |
|
(2)(ii) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Frontier Markets Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 317, filed July 31, 2018 | |
|
(2)(iii) |
Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon Developing World Income Fund, dated January 4, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 401, filed February 27, 2023 (“PEA No. 401”) | |
|
(3)(i) |
Certificates of Designation for American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 239, filed December 23, 2015 | |
|
(3)(ii) |
Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon FEAC Floating Rate Income Fund, dated January 3, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401 | |
|
(3)(iii) |
Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon Man Large Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Man Large Cap Value Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 414, filed May 24, 2024 (“PEA No. 414”) | |
|
(3)(iv) |
Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Income Fund, dated June 30, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 430, filed September 29, 2024 (“PEA No. 430”) | |
|
(3)(v) |
Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund, dated February 9, 2026, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 442, filed February 20, 2026 (“PEA No. 442”) | |
|
(4) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253, filed April 1, 2016 | |
|
(5) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 286, filed March 30, 2017 | |
|
(6) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291, filed May 26, 2017 | |
|
(7)(i) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon AHL Target Risk Fund, dated June 6, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 348, filed April 30, 2019 (“PEA No. 348”) | |
|
(7)(ii) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund, dated September 10, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 321, filed October 17, 2018 | |
|
(7)(iii) |
Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon EAM International Small Cap Fund, dated January 23, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401 | |
|
(7)(iv) |
Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon IMC International Small Cap Fund, dated February 24, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 427, filed February 27, 2025 (“PEA No. 427”) | |
|
(8) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund, dated March 5, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 348 | |
|
(9)(i) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon TwentyFour Short Term Bond Fund, dated December 2, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 358, filed December 23, 2019 | |
|
(9)(ii) |
Amended Certificate of Designation for American Beacon TwentyFour Sustainable Short Term Bond Fund, dated October 7, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 391, filed October 28, 2021 (“PEA No. 391”) | |
|
(9)(iii) |
Amended Certificate of Designation for American Beacon TwentyFour Short Term Bond Fund, dated November 21, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 437, filed December 29, 2025 (“PEA No. 437”) | |
|
(10) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon NIS Core Plus Bond Fund, dated August 17, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 377, filed September 10, 2020 (“PEA No. 377”) | |
|
(11) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, American Beacon Ninety One Global Franchise Fund, dated June 25, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 415, filed August 14, 2024 (“PEA No. 415”) | |
|
(12) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund, dated September 24, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
2
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(b) |
Amended and Restated By-Laws, effective as of August 27, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 418 | |
|
(c) |
Rights of holders of the securities being registered are contained in Articles III, VIII, X, XI and XII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Articles II, III, VI, VII and VIII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws | |
|
(d) |
(1)(A)(i) |
Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 411, filed February 9, 2024 (“PEA No. 411”) |
|
(1)(A)(ii) |
First Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated January 9, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(1)(A)(iii) |
Second Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated January 26, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 412, filed February 23, 2024 | |
|
(1)(A)(iv) |
Third Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 27, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 413, filed April 29, 2024 (“PEA No. 413”) | |
|
(1)(A)(v) |
Fourth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated March 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 413 | |
|
(1)(A)(vi) |
Fifth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated April 15, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(1)(A)(vii) |
Sixth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated October 21, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 419, filed November 14, 2024 (“PEA No. 419”) | |
|
(1)(A)(viii) |
Seventh Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 24, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 427 | |
|
(1)(A)(ix) |
Eighth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated June 20, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(1)(A)(x) |
Ninth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated November 19, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(1)(A)(xi) |
Tenth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 2, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(1)(A)(xii) |
Eleventh Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 23, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(1)(A)(xiii) |
Twelfth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(1)(B) |
Management Agreement between American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(1)(C) |
Management Agreement between American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(A)(i) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(A)(ii) |
First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, dated March 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 413 | |
|
(2)(B) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC, dated March 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 413 | |
|
(2)(C) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Causeway Capital Management LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(D)(i) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(D)(ii) |
First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC, dated March 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 413 | |
3
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(2)(E) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Lazard Asset Management LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(F)(i) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Strategic Income Management, LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(F)(ii) |
First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Strategic Income Management, LLC, effective as of November 19, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 422, filed December 23, 2024 (“PEA No. 422”) | |
|
(2)(G) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Massachusetts Financial Services Company, dated March 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 413 | |
|
(2)(H) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, dated December 31, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(2)(I) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and The London Company of Virginia, LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(J) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Global Evolution USA, LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(K) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(L) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd., American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(M) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(N) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and ARK Investment Management LLC, dated January 9, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(O) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(P) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and abrdn Investments Limited, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(Q) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd., American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(R) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and SSI Investment Management LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(S) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and American Century Investment Management, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(T) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and National Investment Services of America, LLC, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(U) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., dated March 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 413 | |
|
(2)(V) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Global IMC LLC (formerly known as EAM Global Investors LLC), effective December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 | |
|
(2)(W) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Numeric Investors LLC, dated April 16, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(2)(X)(i) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Ninety One North America, Inc., dated August 21, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 419 | |
|
(2)(X)(ii) |
First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Ninety One North America, Inc., effective November 12, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(2)(Y) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Westwood Management Corp., dated March 5, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 428, filed April 28, 2025 (“PEA No. 428”) | |
|
(2)(Z)(i) |
Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and DoubleLine Capital LP, dated June 18, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(2)(Z)(ii) |
First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and DoubleLine Capital LP, dated February 18, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(e) |
(1) |
Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 411 |
4
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(2) |
First Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated May 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(3) |
Second Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., effective October 21, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 419 | |
|
(4) |
Third Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., effective February 18, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 427 | |
|
(5) |
Fourth Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated June 20, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(6) |
Fifth Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated February 2, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(7) |
Sixth Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(f) |
Bonus, profit sharing or pension plans – (none) | |
|
(g) |
(1) |
Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated December 1, 1997, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, filed February 26, 1998 |
|
(2) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 9, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 353, filed May 30, 2019 | |
|
(3) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 13, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 355, filed October 25, 2019 | |
|
(4) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated October 15, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 357, filed November 22, 2019 (“PEA No. 357”) | |
|
(5) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective January 22, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 362, filed February 14, 2020 | |
|
(6) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated April 15, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 368, filed May 28, 2020 (“PEA No. 368”) | |
|
(7) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated July 31, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 374, filed August 28, 2020 (“PEA No. 374”) | |
|
(8) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated August 27, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 377 | |
|
(9) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated October 8, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 381, filed October 28, 2020 (“PEA No. 381”) | |
|
(10) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective November 2, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 383, filed December 14, 2020 (“PEA No. 383”) | |
|
(11) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective August 3, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 389, filed August 27, 2021 (“PEA No. 389”) | |
|
(12) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated February 14, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401 | |
|
(13) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated August 4, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 407 | |
|
(14) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 15, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(15) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated October 29, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 419 | |
|
(16) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated February 24, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 427 | |
|
(17) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective June 20, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(18) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated February 9, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(19) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(h) |
(1)(A) |
Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective February 1, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 402, filed March 22, 2023 |
5
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(1)(B) |
First Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective August 3, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 407 | |
|
(1)(C) |
Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective May 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(1)(D) |
Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective November 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 419 | |
|
(1)(E) |
Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective February 24, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 427 | |
|
(1)(F) |
Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective July 8, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(1)(G) |
Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective January 12, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(1)(H) |
Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(2)(A) |
Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated February 16, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300, filed October 23, 2017 (“PEA No. 300”) | |
|
(2)(B) |
Joinder and First Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated June 21, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 300 | |
|
(2)(C) |
Second Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated September 18, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 300 | |
|
(2)(D) |
Third Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated December 31, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 351, filed May 15, 2019 | |
|
(2)(E) |
Fourth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated September 6, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 374 | |
|
(2)(F) |
Fifth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 12, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 368 | |
|
(2)(G) |
Sixth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 27, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 370, filed June 18, 2020 | |
|
(2)(H) |
Seventh Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated November 29, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 399, filed December 23, 2022 (“PEA No. 399”) | |
|
(2)(I) |
Eighth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401 | |
|
(2)(J) |
Ninth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective August 4, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 407 | |
|
(2)(K) |
Tenth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective May 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(2)(L) |
Eleventh Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective October 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 419 | |
|
(2)(M) |
Twelfth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective February 24, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 427 | |
|
(2)(N) |
Thirteenth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(3) |
Administration Agreement between American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269, filed December 23, 2016 | |
|
(4)(A) |
Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, dated June 10, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 357 | |
|
(4)(B) |
First Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, effective April 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 368 | |
|
(4)(C) |
Second Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, dated August 19, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 399 | |
6
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(4)(D) |
Third Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, dated October 25, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 399 | |
|
(4)(E) |
Fourth Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, effective as of August 9, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 407 | |
|
(4)(F) |
Fifth Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, dated December 7, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(4)(G) |
Sixth Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, effective as of May 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 414 | |
|
(5) |
Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds Investor Class, dated March 6, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77, filed August 3, 2009 | |
|
(6) |
Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds Advisor Class (formerly known as the AAdvantage Funds Service Class), dated May 1, 2003, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45, filed May 1, 2003 (“PEA No. 45”) | |
|
(7)(A) |
Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds A Class, dated February 16, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, filed March 16, 2010 | |
|
(7)(B) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds A Class, effective June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(8)(A) |
Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds C Class, dated May 25, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90, filed June 15, 2010 (“PEA No. 90”) | |
|
(8)(B) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds C Class, effective June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(9)(A) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon NIS Core Plus Bond Fund, effective June 1, 2026, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 446, filed May 28, 2026 (“PEA No, 446”) | |
|
(9)(B) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund, American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund, American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund, and American Beacon TwentyFour Short Term Bond Fund (formerly American Beacon TwentyFour Sustainable Short Term Bond Fund), effective November 1, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(9)(C)(i) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, American Beacon Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, American Beacon Ninety One Global Franchise Fund and American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, effective January 1, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(9)(C)(ii) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund, effective February 6, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(9)(C)(iii) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund, effective February 6, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | |
|
(9)(D) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund, American Beacon International Equity Fund, and American Beacon IMC International Small Cap Fund, effective March 1, 2026, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 443, filed February 26, 2026 (“PEA No. 443”) | |
|
(9)(E) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Man Large Cap Growth Fund, American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund, American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund, American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund and American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, effective May 1, 2026, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 445, filed April 29, 2026 (“PEA No.445”) | |
|
(9)(F) |
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, effective August 25, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(9)(G) |
Investment Adviser Fee Waiver Agreement for American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, effective May 22, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 446 | |
|
(i) |
Opinion and Consent of Counsel — (filed herewith) | |
|
(j) |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — (filed herewith) | |
|
(k) |
Financial statements omitted from prospectus — (none) | |
|
(l) |
Letter of Investment Intent, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, filed December 18, 1997 | |
|
(m) |
(1) |
Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Advisor Class (formerly known as the Service Class), dated May 1, 2003, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 45 |
7
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(2)(A) |
Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the A Class, dated February 16, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 88, filed May 17, 2010 | |
|
(2)(B) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the A Class, effective June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(3)(A) |
Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the C Class, dated May 25, 2010, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 90 | |
|
(3)(B) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the C Class, effective June 26, 2026 - (filed herewith) | |
|
(n) |
Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3, dated November 12, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391 | |
|
(p) |
(1) |
Code of Ethics for American Beacon Advisors, Inc., American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated August 11, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 407 |
|
(2) |
Code of Ethics for Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, Inc., revised March 11, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 446 | |
|
(3) |
Code of Ethics for Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC, revised November 17, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 446 | |
|
(4) |
Code of Ethics for Causeway Capital Management LLC, dated April 25, 2005, as revised June 30, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 439, filed December 30, 2025 (“PEA No. 439”) | |
|
(5) |
Code of Ethics for Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC, dated September 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed February 22, 2022 | |
|
(6) |
Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy for Lazard Asset Management LLC, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 439 | |
|
(7) |
Code of Ethics for Strategic Income Management, LLC, dated April 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(8) |
Code of Ethics for Massachusetts Financial Services Company, dated March 31, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 446 | |
|
(9) |
Code of Ethics for Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, dated February 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 403, filed April 27, 2023 | |
|
(10) |
Code of Ethics for The London Company of Virginia, LLC, dated February 19, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(11) |
Code of Ethics for Global Evolution USA, LLC, dated January 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 429, filed May 28, 2025 | |
|
(12) |
Code of Ethics for AHL Partners LLP, amended August 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 445 | |
|
(13) |
Code of Ethics for Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P., dated September 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 439 | |
|
(14) |
Code of Ethics for ARK Investment Management LLC, dated June 26, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(15) |
Code of Ethics for TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP, dated March 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(16) |
Code of Ethics for abrdn Investments Limited, dated January 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 446 | |
|
(17) |
Code of Ethics for SSI Investment Management LLC, dated June 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 430 | |
|
(18) |
Code of Ethics for American Century Investment Management, Inc., dated October 29, 1999, as revised July 1, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 439 | |
|
(19) |
Code of Ethics for National Investment Services of America, LLC, dated December 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 443 | |
|
(20) |
Code of Ethics for DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., dated November 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 439 | |
|
(21) |
Code of Ethics for Global IMC LLC, effective October 31, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 439 | |
|
(22) |
Code of Ethics for Numeric Investors LLC, amended August 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 445 | |
|
(23) |
Code of Ethics for Ninety One North America, Inc., effective November 1, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 437 | |
|
(24) |
Code of Ethics for Westwood Management Corp., updated August 7, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 439 | |
|
(25) |
Code of Ethics for DoubleLine Capital LP, effective July 1, 2026 – (filed herewith) | |
|
Other Exhibits | ||
8
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
Powers of Attorney for Trustees of American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, effective as of January 31, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 442 | ||
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
The Trust through the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, a separate series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (“Managed Futures Subsidiary”), a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Managed Futures Subsidiary’s financial statements will be included, on a consolidated basis, in the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
The Trust through the American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund, a separate series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (“TargetRisk Subsidiary”), a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The TargetRisk Subsidiary’s financial statements will be included, on a consolidated basis, in the American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Item 30. Indemnification
Article XI of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that:
Limitation of Liability
Section 1. Provided they have exercised reasonable care and have acted under the reasonable belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and officers of the Trust shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for neglect or wrongdoing of them or any officer, agent, employee or investment advisor of the Trust, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Indemnification
Section 2.
| (a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below: |
| (i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer or employee of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust and each Series to the fullest extent permitted by law, including the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof; |
| (ii) subject to the provisions of this Section 2, each Covered Person shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the records, books and accounts of the Trust or, as applicable, any Series, upon an opinion or other advice of legal counsel, or upon reports made or advice given to the Trust or, as applicable, any Series, by any Trustee or any of its officers, employees, or a service provider selected with reasonable care by the Trustees or officers of the Trust, regardless of whether the person rendering such report or advice may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust or, as applicable, any Series. |
| (iii) as used herein, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, investigative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities whatsoever. |
| (b) To the extent required under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, but only to such extent no indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person: |
| (i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office; or |
| (ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office: (A) by the court or other body approving the settlement; (B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither interested persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or (C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry). |
| (c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Covered Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which any Covered Person or other person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law or prevent the Trust from entering into any contract to provide indemnification to any Covered Person or other Person. |
| (d) To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, |
9
| the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. |
| (e) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this Section 2 shall be paid by the Trust or the applicable Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or a Series, as applicable, if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 2; provided, however, that any such advancement will be made in accordance with any conditions required by the Commission. |
| The advancement of any expenses pursuant to this Section 2(e) shall under no circumstances be considered a “loan” under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended from time to time, or for any other reason. |
| (f) Any repeal or modification of this Article XI or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust inconsistent with this Article XI shall be prospective only to the extent that such repeal or modification would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification or right to advancement of expenses available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission that occurred prior to such repeal, modification or adoption. |
| (g) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, any liability and/or expense against which any Covered Person is indemnified under this Section 2 and any advancement of expenses that any Covered Person is entitled to be paid under Section 2(e) shall be deemed to be joint and several obligations of the Trust and each Series, and the assets of the Trust and each Series shall be subject to the claims of any Covered Person therefor under this Article XI; provided that (a) any such liability, expense or obligation may be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among the Trust and/or any one or more Series (and Classes) in such manner as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable; and (b) the Trustees may determine that any such liability, expense or obligation should not be allocated to one or more Series (and Classes), and such Series or Classes shall not be liable therefor as provided under Article III, Section 4. |
| (h) Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may, in connection with any transaction permitted by this Declaration of Trust, including the acquisition of assets subject to liabilities or a merger or consolidation pursuant to Article XII, Section 2, assume the obligation to indemnify any person including a Covered Person or otherwise contract to provide such indemnification, and such indemnification shall not be subject to the terms of this Article XI, Section 2 unless otherwise required under applicable law. |
According to Article XII, Section 1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, nothing in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association. Trustees are not liable personally to any person extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust, a particular Portfolio or the Trustees. A Trustee, however, is not protected from liability due to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Article V, Section 5 provides that, subject to the provisions of Article XI, the Trustees shall not be liable for any act or omission in accordance with certain advice of counsel or other experts or for failing to follow such advice. Article XI, Section 1 provides that the Trustees are not liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but a Trustee is not protected from liability due to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, for any act or omission in accordance with advice of counsel or other experts or for failing to follow such advice.
Numbered Paragraph 10 of the Management Agreement provides that:
10. Limitation of Liability of the Manager. The Manager shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Trust or any Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relate except a loss resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, partner, employee, or agent of the Manager, who may be or become an officer, Board member, employee or agent of a Trust shall be deemed, when rendering services to a Trust or acting in any business of a Trust, to be rendering such services to or acting solely for a Trust and not as an officer, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of the Manager even though paid by it. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and, therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of the Manager under such laws. This Paragraph 10 does not in any manner preempt any separate written indemnification commitments made by the Manager with respect to any matters encompassed by this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with abrdn Investment Limited provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of and to the extent of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with AHL Partners LLP provides, in relevant part, that:
9. Liability. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders, the Manager or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and
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all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement, relating to its trading activities or information provided to the Manager regarding the Adviser, by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of the Adviser under such laws.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with American Century Investment Management, Inc. provides, in relevant part, that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with ARK Investment Management LLC provides, in relevant part, that:
9. Liability of the Parties. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person of the Adviser within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act (“Affiliated Person”), and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager (“Controlling Person”), against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such Affiliated Person or Controlling Person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust or the Funds that may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any Affiliate Person acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
The Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Adviser, any Affiliated Person of the Adviser, and each Controlling Person of the Adviser, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Adviser or its Affiliated Persons or Controlling Person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Manager’s responsibilities to the Trust or the Funds that may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard by the Manager or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any Affiliated Person acting on behalf of the Manager of the Manager’s obligations and/or duties under its agreements with the Trust or the Funds. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, Inc. provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Causeway Capital Management LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser; or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to
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make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with DoubleLine Capital LP provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Manager, the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, caused by : (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence of the Adviser, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser (such conduct “Adviser’s Disabling Conduct”); or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund or the Trust, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser expressly for use therein.
The Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, any affiliated persons thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Adviser or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, including as result of any action or omission to act based on any instruction or direction from the Trust, the Manager or the Trustees, however arising except liabilities arising out of “Adviser’s Disqualifying Conduct.”
The indemnifications in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P. provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Global Evolution USA, LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Global IMC LLC (formerly known as EAM Global Investors LLC) provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser; or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Lazard Asset Management LLC provides that:
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9. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Massachusetts Financial Services Company provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any other third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with National Investment Services of America, LLC provides that
9. (a) Liability of Adviser and Indemnification by Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Ninety One North America, Inc. provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser; or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Numeric Investors LLC provides that:
9. Liability. The Adviser, its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the “Covered Persons”) shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders, the Manager or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided, however, that the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its Shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of any Covered Person’s responsibilities to the Trust and the Manager which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, any Covered Person’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement, relating to its trading activities or information provided to the Manager regarding the Covered Persons. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of any Covered Person under such laws. Neither the Manager nor the Trust shall have any liability to the Covered Persons or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, that the Manager and the Trust agree to indemnify and hold harmless, the Covered Persons against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Covered Persons may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Manager’s or the Trust’s responsibilities to the Covered Persons which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Manager’s or the Trust’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by either of the Manager or the Trust or by any of their directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of either. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Form of Investment Advisory Agreement with SSI Investment Management LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser and Manager. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement. Each of the Adviser and the Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the other party, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the other party, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the other party or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or
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otherwise, arising out of the indemnifying party’s responsibilities to the Trust based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the indemnifying party’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the indemnifying party or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the indemnifying party. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Strategic Income Management, LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any other third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with The London Company of Virginia, LLC provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP provides that:
9. Liability. The Adviser, including its officers, directors, employees and agents shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, its officers, directors, employees and agents (each such person, a “Manager Indemnified Persons”) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and related expenses) (“Losses”), to which a Manager Indemnified Persons may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser, provided, however that the Manager’s obligation under this paragraph 9 shall be reduced to the extent that the Losses experienced by a Manager Indemnified Person are caused by or are otherwise directly related to a Manager Indemnified Person’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
The Manager, including its officers, directors, employees and agents shall have no liability to the Adviser, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Adviser, its officers, directors, employees and agents (each such person, an “Adviser Indemnified Persons”) against any and all Losses, to which an Adviser Indemnified Persons may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Manager’s responsibilities to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party, provided, however that the Manager’s obligation under this paragraph 9 shall be reduced to the extent that the Losses experienced by an Adviser Indemnified Person are caused by or are otherwise directly related to an Adviser Indemnified Person’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Adviser nor the Manager will be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damage.
The
indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Numbered
Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Westwood Management Corp. provides that:
9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser; or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Section 4.2 of the Distribution Agreement provides that:
| (a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Resolute shall not be responsible for, and the Client shall on behalf of each applicable Fund or Class thereof, indemnify and hold harmless Resolute, its employees, directors, officers and managers and any person who controls Resolute within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (for purposes of this Section 4.2(a), “Resolute Indemnitees”) from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, |
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| liabilities and other expenses of every nature and character (including, but not limited to, direct and indirect reasonable reprocessing costs) arising out of or attributable to all and any of the following (for purposes of this Section 4.2(a), a “Resolute Claim”) |
| (i) any material action (or omission to act) of Resolute or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement; provided, that such action (or omission to act) is taken in good faith and without willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Resolute, or its affiliates, of its duties and obligations under this Agreement; |
| (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Client in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or exhibits to the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Resolute; |
| (iii) any material breach of the Clients’ agreements, representations, warranties, and covenants in Sections 2.9 and 5.2 of this Agreement; or |
| (iv) the reliance on or use by Resolute or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Client or any agent of the Client, including but not limited to any Predecessor Records provided pursuant to Section 2.9(b). |
| (b) Resolute will indemnify, defend and hold the Client and their several officers and members of their Governing Bodies and any person who controls the Client within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (collectively, the “Client Indemnitees” and, with the Resolute Indemnitees, an “Indemnitee”), free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands, actions, suits or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), but only to the extent that such claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses result from, arise out of or are based upon all and any of the following (for purposes of this Section 4.2(c), a “Client Claim” and, with a Resolute Claim, a “Claim”): |
| (i) any material action (or omission to act) of Resolute or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement, provided that such action (or omission to act) is taken in good faith and without willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Resolute, or its affiliates, of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. |
| (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Client in writing in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Resolute; or |
| (iii) any material breach of Resolute’s agreements, representations, warranties and covenants set forth in Section 2.4 and 5.1 hereof. |
| (c) The Client or Resolute (for purpose of this Section 4.2(d), an “Indemnifying Party”) may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any Resolute Claim or Client Claim, respectively, and may retain counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and approved by the other Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Indemnifying Party shall advise the other Party that it will assume the defense of the suit and retain counsel within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of the claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such suit and retains counsel, the other Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel that they retain. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any such suit, or if other Party does not approve of counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party, or if the other Party has been advised that it may have available defenses or claims that are not available to or conflict with those available to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party will reimburse any Indemnitee named as defendant in such suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel that the Indemnitee retains. An Indemnitee shall not settle or confess any claim without the prior written consent of the applicable Client, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
| (d) An Indemnifying Party’s obligation to provide indemnification under this section is conditioned upon the Indemnifying Party receiving notice of any action brought against an Indemnitee within twenty (20) days after the summons or other first legal process is served. Such notice shall refer to the Person or Persons against whom the action is brought. The failure to provide such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to any Indemnitee except to the extent that the ability of the party entitled to such notice to defend such action has been materially adversely affected by the failure to provide notice. |
| (e) The provisions of this section and the parties’ representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee and shall survive the sale and redemption of any Shares made pursuant to subscriptions obtained by Resolute. The indemnification provisions of this section will inure exclusively to the benefit of each person that may be an Indemnitee at any time and their respective successors and assigns (it being intended that such persons be deemed to be third party beneficiaries under this Agreement). |
Section 4.3 of the Distribution Agreement provides that:
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, except as specifically set forth below:
| (a) Neither Party shall be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; action or inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy; war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities; insurrection; or elements of nature; |
| (b) Neither Party shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages suffered by the other Party, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by the Party; |
15
| (c) No affiliate, director, officer, employee, manager, shareholder, partner, agent, counsel or consultant of either Party shall be liable at law or in equity for the obligations of such Party under this Agreement or for any damages suffered by the other Party related to this Agreement; |
| (d) There are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement; |
| (e) Each Party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other Party may become responsible; |
| (f) The assets and liabilities of each Fund are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Fund, and no Fund shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise; and in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, Resolute shall look only to the assets and property of the Fund to which Resolute’s rights or claims relate in settlement of such rights or claims; and |
| (g) Each Party agrees promptly to notify the other party of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding of which it becomes aware arising out of or in any way connected with the issuance or sale of Shares. |
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Supplemental Limited Indemnification from the Manager
ABA shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, in his or her individual capacity, from and against any cost, asserted claim, liability or expense, including reasonable legal fees (collectively, “Liability”) based upon or arising out of (i) any duty of ABA under the Management Agreement (including ABA’s failure or omission to perform such duty), and (ii) any liability or claim against Indemnitee arising pursuant to Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any similar or related federal, state or common law statutes, rules or interpretations. ABA’s indemnification obligations under this Letter Agreement shall be limited to civil and administrative claims or proceedings.
Item 31.I. Business and Other Connections of Investment Manager
American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) offers investment management and administrative services to the Registrant. It acts in the same capacity to other investment companies, including those listed below.
Set forth below is information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each officer and director of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. is, or at any time during the past two fiscal years has been, engaged for his/her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.
|
Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc. |
Other Substantial Business and Connections |
|
Shelley D. Abrahams, Assistant Secretary |
American
Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary
(2022-Present) |
|
Patrick J. Bartels; Director |
Redan Advisors LLC: Managing Member |
16
|
Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc. |
Other Substantial Business and Connections |
|
Rosemary K. Behan; Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
Resolute
Topco, Inc.: Secretary (2015-Present) |
|
Bernadette A. Bridy, Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer |
American Beacon Funds Complex: Vice President (2026-Present) |
|
Paul B. Cavazos; Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer |
American Beacon Funds Complex: Vice President (2016-Present) |
|
Jame Donath; Director |
Greenscape
Financial Group: Chairman |
|
Carmen E. Fahy; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Associate General Counsel (2025-Present) |
|
Richard M. Goldman; Director |
Becket
Capital: Founder and Managing Partner |
|
Rebecca L. Harris; Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Chief Operating Officer (June 2024-Present) Senior
Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May-June 2024),
President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024) |
|
Kirstin Hill; Director |
Social Finance: President & COO |
|
Elizabeth A. Kelly; Assistant Treasurer |
Resolute
Topco, Inc.: Assistant Treasurer (May 2026-Present) |
|
John J. Linnehan; Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
Resolute
Topco, Inc.: Senior Vice President and Treasurer (February 2026-Present) |
17
|
Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc. |
Other Substantial Business and Connections |
|
Terri L. McKinney; Senior Vice President, Fund Solutions and Fund Services Officer |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Senior Vice President, Enterprise Services (2021-2026) |
|
Donna S. Merchant, Vice President, Human Resources |
Resolute
Investment Managers: Vice President, Human Resources (2024-Present) |
|
Bo Ragsdale; Vice President, Information Technology |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Vice President, Information Technology (2021-Present) |
|
Christina E. Sears; Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Vice President (2017-Present) |
|
Samuel J. Silver; Vice President and Chief Fixed Income Officer |
American Beacon Funds Complex: Vice President (2011-Present) |
|
Gregory J. Stumm; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Resolute
Acquisition, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present),
Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024) |
The principal address of each of the entities referenced above, other than RSW Investment Holdings LLC, Shapiro Capital Management LLC, SSI Investment Management LLC, and National Investment Services of America, LLC is 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. The principal address of RSW Investment Holdings LLC is 47 Maple Street, Suite 304, Summit, New Jersey 07901. The principal address of Shapiro Capital Management LLC is 3060 Peachtree Road NW #1555, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. The principal address of SSI Investment Management LLC is 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2050, Los Angeles, California 90067. The principal address of National Investment Services of America, LLC is 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
II. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers
The investment advisers listed below provide investment advisory services to the Trust.
American Beacon Advisors, Inc., 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, TX 75039.
abrdn Investments Limited (“aIL”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon Developing World Income Fund. The principal address of aIL is 1 George Street, Edinburgh UK, EH2 2LL. Information as to the officers and directors of abrdn is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 162309), and is incorporated herein by reference.
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AHL Partners LLP (“AHL”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund. The principal address of AHL is 2 Swan Lane, London, UK EC4R 3AD. Information as to the officers and directors of AHL is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 167882), and is incorporated herein by reference.
American Century Investment Management, Inc. (“American Century”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon International Equity Fund. The principal address for American Century is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Information as to the Officers and Directors of American Century is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 105778), and is incorporated herein by reference.
ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund. The principal address for ARK is 200 Central Avenue, Suite 220, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. ARK was formed in June 2013 and registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2014. Information as to the Officers and Directors of ARK is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 169525), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC (“Barrow”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Balanced Fund, American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal business address of Barrow is 2200 Ross Avenue, 31st Floor, Dallas, TX 75201-2761. Information as to the officers and directors of Barrow is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 105519), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Brandywine is 1735 Market Street, Suite 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Information as to the officers and directors of Brandywine is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 110783), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Causeway Capital Management LLC (“Causeway”), a Delaware limited liability company, is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon International Equity Fund. The principal address of Causeway is 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Information as to the officers and directors of Causeway is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 113308), and is incorporated herein by reference.
DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. (“DRZ”), a Florida corporation, is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal office of DRZ is 250 Park Avenue South, Winter Park, FL 32789. Information as to the officers and directors of DRZ is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 112099), and is incorporated herein by reference.
DoubleLine Capital LP (“DoubleLine”), a Delaware limited partnership, is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund and the American Beacon DoubleLine Select Income Fund. The principal address of DoubleLine is 2002 N. Tampa Street, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33602. Information as to the officers and directors of DoubleLine is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 152606), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P. (“Garcia Hamilton”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund. The principal address of Garcia Hamilton is 1401 McKinney Street, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77010. Information as to the officers and directors of Garcia Hamilton is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 108017), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Global Evolution USA, LLC (“Global Evolution”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Developing World Income Fund. The principal address of Global Evolution is 250 Park Avenue, 15th floor, New York, NY 10177, United States. Global Evolution’s parent company is Global Evolution Financial ApS and is located at Buen 11, 2nd floor, DK-6000 Kolding, Denmark. Information as to the officers and directors of Global Evolution is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 161677), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Global IMC LLC (“Global IMC”) (formerly known as EAM Global Investors LLC), is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon IMC International Small Cap Fund. The principal address of Global IMC is 215 Highway 101, Suite 216, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Information as to the officers and directors of Global IMC is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 170870), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC (“Hotchkis”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Balanced Fund, American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund, and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Hotchkis is 601 South Figueroa Street, 39th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017-5439. Information as to the officers and directors of Hotchkis is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 114649), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon International Equity Fund. The principal address of Lazard is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 55th Floor, New York, NY 10112. Information as to the officers and directors of Lazard is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 122836), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund. The principal address of MFS is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199. MFS is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Financial Services Holdings Inc., which in turn is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial, Inc. (a diversified financial services
19
company), located at Sun Life Financial Centre, 150 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Information as to the officers and directors of MFS is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 110045), and is incorporated herein by reference.
National Investment Services of America, LLC (“NIS”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon NIS Core Plus Bond Fund. The principal address of NIS is 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, WI 53202. NIS is a majority-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc. (“Topco”). Topco is owned primarily by various institutional investment funds that are managed by financial institutions and other investment advisory firms. No owner of Topco owns 25% or more of the outstanding equity or voting interests of Topco. Information as to the officers and directors of NIS is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 307169), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Ninety One North America, Inc (“Ninety One”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund, American Beacon Ninety One Global Franchise Fund and American Beacon Developing World Income Fund. The principal address of Ninety One is 65 East 55th Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Information as to the officers and directors of Ninety One is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 167922), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Numeric Investors LLC (“Numeric”), is a registered investment advisory firm formed in 1989. Numeric is a limited liability company that is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Man Group plc (“Man”) and is an investment sub-advisor to the American Beacon Man Large Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Man Large Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Numeric is 200 Pier 4 Boulevard, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA, 02210. Information as to the Officers and Directors of Numeric is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 131684) and is incorporated herein by reference.
SSI Investment Management LLC (“SSI”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund. The principal address of SSI is 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2050, Los Angeles, CA 90067. SSI is a majority-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc. (“Topco”). Topco is owned primarily by various institutional investment funds that are managed by financial institutions and other investment advisory firms. No owner of Topco owns 25% or more of the outstanding equity or voting interests of Topco. Information as to the officers and directors of SSI is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 104889), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC (“SIMG”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund. The principal address of SIMG and Stephens Inc. is 111 Center Street, Little Rock, AK 72201. Information as to the officers and directors of SIMG is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 136369), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Strategic Income Management, LLC (“SiM”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund. The principal address of SiM is 1200 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 713, Seattle, WA 98109. Information as to the officers and directors of SiM is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 151956), and is incorporated herein by reference.
The London Company Of Virginia, LLC (“London Company”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund. The principal place of business address of London Company is 1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23226. Information as to the officers and directors of London Company is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 106654), and is incorporated herein by reference.
TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP (“TwentyFour”) is a registered investment adviser and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Vontobel Holding AG and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund and the American Beacon TwentyFour Short Term Bond Fund. The principal address of TwentyFour is 66 Hudson Boulevard, 34th Floor, Suite 3401, New York, NY 10001. Information as to the officers and directors of TwentyFour is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 285791), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Westwood Management Corp. (“Westwood”) is a registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Westwood is 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75201. Information as to the officers and directors of Westwood is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 110269), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriter
(a) Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:
| 1 | American Beacon Funds |
| 2 | American Beacon Select Funds - American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund |
(b) The following are the Officers and Managers of the Distributor, the Registrant’s underwriter. The Distributor’s main business address is 220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039.
|
Name |
Address |
Position with Underwriter |
Position with Registrant |
|
Gregory J. Stumm |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President |
President |
|
Terri L. McKinney |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Senior Vice President |
Vice President |
20
|
Name |
Address |
Position with Underwriter |
Position with Registrant |
|
Rosemary K. Behan |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Secretary |
Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
|
Christina E. Sears |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Vice President |
Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary |
|
Carmen E. Fahy |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Assistant Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The books and other documents required by Section 31(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are maintained in the physical possession of 1) the Trust’s custodian and fund accounting agent at State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2016; 2) the Manager at American Beacon Advisors, Inc., 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039; 3) the Trust’s transfer agent, SS&C GIDS, Inc., 330 West 9th St., Kansas City, Missouri 64105; 4) Mastercraft, 3021 Wichita Court, Fort Worth, Texas 76140; or 5) the Trust’s investment advisers at the addresses listed in Item 31 above.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
21
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant represents that this Amendment meets all the requirements for effectiveness pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 447 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Irving and the State of Texas, on July 29, 2026.
AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
| By: | /s/ Gregory J. Stumm | |
| Gregory J. Stumm | ||
| President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 447 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Gregory J. Stumm | President (Principal Executive Officer) | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Gregory J. Stumm | ||||
| /s/ Aaron Cooper | Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Aaron Cooper | Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| Gilbert G. Alvarado* | Trustee | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Gilbert G. Alvarado | ||||
| Gerard J. Arpey* | Trustee | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Gerard J. Arpey | ||||
| Eugene J. Duffy* | Trustee | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Eugene J. Duffy | ||||
| Claudia A. Holz* | Trustee | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Claudia A. Holz | ||||
| Douglas A. Lindgren* | Chair and Trustee | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Douglas A. Lindgren | ||||
| Janet C. Smith* | Trustee | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Janet C. Smith | ||||
| Paul Zemsky* | Trustee | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Paul Zemsky |
| * By: | /s/ Rosemary K. Behan | |
| Rosemary K. Behan | ||
| Attorney-In-Fact |
22
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
Type |
Description |
|
99.(d)(1)(A)(xii) |
|
|
99.(d)(1)(A)(xiii) |
|
|
99.(e)(7) |
|
|
99.(g)(19) |
|
|
99.(h)(1)(H) |
|
|
99.(h)(2)(N) |
|
|
99.(h)(7)(B) |
|
|
99.(h)(8)(B) |
|
|
99.(i) |
|
|
99.(j) |
|
|
99.(m)(2)(B) |
|
|
99.(m)(3)(B) |
|
|
99.(p)(25) |
Code of Ethics for DoubleLine Capital LP, effective July 1, 2026 |
23