Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2016
File Nos.    33-37459
811-6200


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Post-Effective Amendment No. 126
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 130

Schwab Investments
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

211 Main Street
San Francisco, California 94105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(800) 648-5300
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Marie Chandoha
211 Main Street
San Francisco, California 94105
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies of communications to:
Douglas P. Dick, Esq.
Dechert LLP
1900 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
John M. Loder, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02199-3600
David J. Lekich, Esq.
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
211 Main Street
SF211MN-05-491
San Francisco, CA 94105

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
On February 25, 2016, 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.



Table of Contents
Schwab Equity Index Funds ®
Prospectus
February 25, 2016
Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)
Schwab 1000 Index ® Fund (SNXFX)
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund ® (SWSSX)
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund ® (SWTSX)
Schwab International Index Fund ® (SWISX)
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved these securities or passed on whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.

 

Schwab Equity Index Funds ®
Fund summaries  

1

4

7

10

14
Fund details  

17

17

18

19

20

22

23

24

29

30

30

30

32

33

35

 

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Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund
Ticker symbol: SWPPX
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to track the total return of the S&P 500 ® Index.
Fund fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption fee (as a % of the amount sold or exchanged within 30 days of purchase) 2.00
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
Management fees 0.06
Distribution (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.03
Total annual fund operating expenses 1 0.09
1 The investment adviser and its affiliates have agreed to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) of the fund to 0.09% for so long as the investment adviser serves as the adviser to the fund. This agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the fund’s Board of Trustees.
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those time periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The figures are based on total annual fund operating expenses. The expenses would be the same whether you stayed in the fund or sold your shares at the end of each period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Expenses on a $10,000 investment
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
$9 $29 $51 $115
Portfolio turnover
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 2% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
To pursue its goal, the fund generally invests in stocks that are included in the S&P 500 Index . It is the fund’s policy that under normal circumstances it will invest at least 80% of its net assets in these stocks; typically, the actual percentage is considerably higher. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy.
The fund generally gives the same weight to a given stock as the index does. However, when the investment adviser believes it is in the best interest of the fund, such as to avoid purchasing odd-lots (i.e., purchasing less than the usual number of shares traded for a security), for tax considerations, or to address liquidity considerations with respect to a stock, the investment adviser may cause the fund’s weighting of a stock to be more or less than the index’s weighting of the stock. The fund may sell securities that are represented in the index in anticipation of their removal from the index, or buy securities that are not yet represented in the index in anticipation of their addition to the index.
The S&P 500 Index includes the stocks of 500 leading U.S. publicly traded companies from a broad range of industries. Standard & Poor’s, the company that maintains the index, uses a variety of
Index ownership – “Standard & Poor’s ® ,” “S&P ® ,” and “S&P 500 ® ” are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (S&P), and “Dow Jones ® ” is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones) and have been licensed for use by S& P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates and sublicensed for certain purposes by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM). The “S&P 500 ® Index” is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates, and has been licensed for use by CSIM. The Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S& P, or their respective affiliates, and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, nor their respective affiliates make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the fund.
Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund 1

 

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measures to determine which stocks are listed in the index. Each stock is represented in the index in proportion to its total market value.
The fund may invest in derivatives, principally futures contracts, and lend its securities to minimize the gap in performance that naturally exists between any index fund and its corresponding index. This gap occurs mainly because, unlike the index, the fund incurs expenses and must keep a small portion of its assets in cash for business operations. By using futures, the fund potentially can offset a portion of the gap attributable to its cash holdings. In addition, any income realized through securities lending may help reduce the portion of the gap attributable to expenses.
The fund may concentrate its investments in an industry or group of industries to the extent that its comparative index is also so concentrated.
Principal risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money. The fund’s principal risks include:
Market Risk. Equity markets rise and fall daily. As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Investment Style Risk. The fund primarily follows the large-cap portion of the U.S. stock market, as measured by the index. It follows these stocks during upturns as well as downturns. Because of its indexing strategy, the fund does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. In addition, because of the fund’s expenses, the fund’s performance may be below that of the index.
A significant percentage of the index may be composed of securities in a single industry or sector of the economy. If the fund is focused in an industry or sector, it may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the economy.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, or match the securities’ weightings to the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error.
Large-Cap Risk. Although the S&P 500 Index encompasses stocks from many different sectors of the economy, its performance primarily reflects that of large-cap stocks, which tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. As a result, during a period when these stocks fall behind other types of
investments – bonds or mid- or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the fund’s or the index’s portfolio is concentrated in the securities of issuers in a particular market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class, the fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class.
Derivatives Risk. The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested. In addition, investments in derivatives may involve leverage, which means a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund.
Liquidity Risk. The fund may be unable to sell certain securities, such as illiquid securities, readily at a favorable time or price, or the fund may have to sell them at a loss.
Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent.
Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
For more information on the risks of investing in the fund, please see the “Fund details” section in the prospectus.
Performance
The bar chart below shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compared to that of the index. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All figures assume distributions were reinvested. Keep in mind that future performance (both before and after taxes) may differ from past performance. For current performance information, please see www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus . On September 9, 2009, the Investor Share class, Select Share class, and e.Shares class were combined into a single class of shares of the fund, and the fund no longer offers multiple classes of shares. The performance history of the fund prior to September 9, 2009, is that of the fund’s former Select Shares.
2 Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund

 

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Annual total returns (%) as of 12/31
Best Quarter: 15.81% Q2 2009
Worst Quarter: (21.80%) Q4 2008
Average annual total returns (%) as of 12/31/15
  1 year 5 years 10 years
Before taxes 1.29% 12.48% 7.27%
After taxes on distributions 0.53% 11.96% 6.87%
After taxes on distributions and sale of shares 1.33% 9.96% 5.88%
Comparative Index (reflects no deduction for expenses or taxes)      
S&P 500 Index 1.38% 12.57% 7.31%
The after-tax figures reflect the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during the period and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, an individual retirement account (IRA) or other tax-advantaged account. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares may exceed the fund’s other returns due to an assumed benefit from any losses on a sale of shares at the end of the measurement period.
Investment adviser
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
Portfolio managers
Agnes Hong, CFA, Vice President and Head of Passive Equity Strategies, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. She has managed the fund since 2012.
Ferian Juwono, CFA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2013.
David Rios, Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2015.
Purchase and sale of fund shares
The fund is open for business each day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate its share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day. When you place orders to purchase, exchange or redeem fund shares through an account at
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab) or another financial intermediary, you must follow Schwab’s or the other financial intermediary’s transaction procedures.
Eligible Investors (as determined by the fund and which generally are limited to institutional investors) may invest directly in the fund by placing purchase, exchange and redemption orders through the fund’s transfer agent. Eligible Investors must contact the transfer agent by phone or in writing to obtain an account application. Eligible Investors may contact the transfer agent:
•by telephone at 1-800-407-0256; or
•by mail to Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, P.O. Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323.
The minimum initial investment for the fund is $100. The minimum may be waived for certain investors or in the fund’s sole discretion.
Tax information
Dividends and capital gains distributions received from the fund will generally be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account.
Payments to financial intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund 3

 

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Schwab 1000 Index ® Fund
Ticker symbol: SNXFX
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to match the total return of the Schwab 1000 Index ® .
Fund fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption fee (as a % of the amount sold or exchanged within 30 days of purchase) 2.00
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
Management fees 0.22
Distribution (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.11
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.33
Less expense reduction (0.04)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction 1 0.29
1 The investment adviser and its affiliates have agreed to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) of the fund to 0.29% for so long as the investment adviser serves as the adviser to the fund. This agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the fund’s Board of Trustees.
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those time periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The figures are based on total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction. The expenses would be the same whether you stayed in the fund or sold your shares at the end of each period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Expenses on a $10,000 investment
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
$30 $93 $163 $368
Portfolio turnover
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
To pursue its goal, the fund generally invests in stocks that are included in the Schwab 1000 Index. It is the fund’s policy that under normal circumstances it will invest at least 80% of its net assets in these stocks; typically, the actual percentage is considerably higher. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy.
The fund generally gives the same weight to a given stock as the index does. However, when the investment adviser believes it is in the best interest of the fund, such as to avoid purchasing odd-lots (i.e., purchasing less than the usual number of shares traded for a security), for tax considerations, or to address liquidity considerations with respect to a stock, the investment adviser may cause the fund’s weighting of a stock to be more or less than the index’s weighting of the stock. The fund may sell securities that are represented in the index in anticipation of their removal from the index, or buy securities that are not yet represented in the index in anticipation of their addition to the index.
The Schwab 1000 Index includes the 1,000 largest stocks of publicly traded companies in the United States, with size being determined by market capitalization (total market value of all shares outstanding). The index is designed to be a measure of the performance of large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks.
The fund may invest in derivatives, principally futures contracts, and lend its securities to minimize the gap in performance that naturally exists between any index fund and its corresponding
4 Schwab 1000 Index ® Fund

 

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index. This gap occurs mainly because, unlike the index, the fund incurs expenses and must keep a small portion of its assets in cash for business operations. By using futures, the fund potentially can offset a portion of the gap attributable to its cash holdings. In addition, any income realized through securities lending may help reduce the portion of the gap attributable to expenses.
The fund may concentrate its investments in an industry or group of industries to the extent that its comparative index is also so concentrated.
Principal risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money. The fund’s principal risks include:
Market Risk. Equity markets rise and fall daily. As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Investment Style Risk. The fund primarily follows the large- and mid-cap portion of the U.S. stock market, as measured by the index. It follows these stocks during upturns as well as downturns. Because of its indexing strategy, the fund does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. In addition, because of the fund’s expenses, the fund’s performance may be below that of the index.
A significant percentage of the index may be composed of securities in a single industry or sector of the economy. If the fund is focused in an industry or sector, it may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the economy.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, or match the securities’ weightings to the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error.
Large- and Mid-Cap Risk. Many of the risks of this fund are associated with its investment in the large- and mid-cap segments of the U.S. stock market. Both large- and mid-cap stocks tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. However, stocks of mid-cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of large-cap companies because mid-cap companies tend to be more susceptible to adverse business or economic events than larger more established companies. During a period when large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the fund’s or the index’s portfolio is concentrated in the securities of issuers in a particular market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class, the fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class.
Derivatives Risk. The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested. In addition, investments in derivatives may involve leverage, which means a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund.
Liquidity Risk. The fund may be unable to sell certain securities, such as illiquid securities, readily at a favorable time or price, or the fund may have to sell them at a loss.
Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent.
Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
For more information on the risks of investing in the fund, please see the “Fund details” section in the prospectus.
Performance
The bar chart below shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compared to that of two indices. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All figures assume distributions were reinvested. Keep in mind that future performance (both before and after taxes) may differ from past performance. For current performance information, please see www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus . On September 18, 2009, the Investor Share class and Select Share class were combined into a single class of shares of the fund, and the fund no longer offers multiple classes of shares. The performance history of the fund, prior to September 18, 2009, is that of the fund’s former Investor Shares.
Annual total returns (%) as of 12/31
Best Quarter: 16.09% Q2 2009
Worst Quarter: (22.34%) Q4 2008
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Average annual total returns (%) as of 12/31/15
  1 year 5 years 10 years
Before taxes 0.76% 12.06% 7.17%
After taxes on distributions (0.69%) 10.84% 6.43%
After taxes on distributions and sale of shares 1.59% 9.61% 5.80%
Comparative Indices (reflects no deduction for expenses or taxes)      
Schwab 1000 Index 1.06% 12.34% 7.48%
S&P 500 Index 1.38% 12.57% 7.31%
The after-tax figures reflect the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during the period and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, an individual retirement account (IRA) or other tax-advantaged account. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares may exceed the fund’s other returns due to an assumed benefit from any losses on a sale of shares at the end of the measurement period.
Investment adviser
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
Portfolio managers
Agnes Hong, CFA, Vice President and Head of Passive Equity Strategies, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. She has managed the fund since 2012.
Ferian Juwono, CFA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2013.
David Rios, Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2015.
Purchase and sale of fund shares
The fund is open for business each day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate its share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day. When you place orders to purchase, exchange or redeem fund shares through an account at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab) or another financial intermediary, you must follow Schwab’s or the other financial intermediary’s transaction procedures.
Eligible Investors (as determined by the fund and which generally are limited to institutional investors) may invest directly in the fund by placing purchase, exchange and redemption orders through the fund’s transfer agent. Eligible Investors must contact the transfer agent by phone or in writing to obtain an account application. Eligible Investors may contact the transfer agent:
•by telephone at 1-800-407-0256; or
•by mail to Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, P.O. Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323.
The minimum initial investment for the fund is $100. The minimum may be waived for certain investors or in the fund’s sole discretion.
Tax information
Dividends and capital gains distributions received from the fund will generally be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account.
Payments to financial intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
6 Schwab 1000 Index ® Fund

 

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Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund ®
Ticker symbol: SWSSX
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the total return of small capitalization U.S. stocks.
Fund fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption fee (as a % of the amount sold or exchanged within 30 days of purchase) 2.00
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
Management fees 0.15
Distribution (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.05
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.20
Less expense reduction (0.03)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction 1 0.17
1 The investment adviser and its affiliates have agreed to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) of the fund to 0.17% for so long as the investment adviser serves as the adviser to the fund. This agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the fund’s Board of Trustees.
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those time periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The figures are based on total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction. The expenses would be the same whether you stayed in the fund or sold your shares at the end of each period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Expenses on a $10,000 investment
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
$17 $55 $96 $217
Portfolio turnover
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 17% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
To pursue its goal, the fund generally invests in stocks that are included in the Russell 2000 ® Index . It is the fund’s policy that under normal circumstances it will invest at least 80% of its net assets in these stocks; typically, the actual percentage is considerably higher. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy.
The fund generally gives the same weight to a given stock as the index does. However, when the investment adviser believes it is in the best interest of the fund, such as to avoid purchasing odd-lots (i.e., purchasing less than the usual number of shares traded for a security), for tax considerations, or to address liquidity considerations with respect to a stock, the investment adviser may cause the fund’s weighting of a stock to be more or less than the index’s weighting of the stock. The fund may sell securities that are represented in the index in anticipation of their removal from the index, or buy securities that are not yet represented in the index in anticipation of their addition to the index.
The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the small-cap sector of the U.S. equity market. The Russell 2000 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000 ® Index, representing approximately the 2000 smallest issuers and, as of December 31, 2015, approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
Index ownership – “Russell 2000 ® ” is a registered mark of the Frank Russell Company (Russell) and has been licensed for use by the Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund. The Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Russell and Russell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the fund.
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The fund may invest in derivatives, principally futures contracts, and lend its securities to minimize the gap in performance that naturally exists between any index fund and its corresponding index. This gap occurs mainly because, unlike the index, the fund incurs expenses and must keep a small portion of its assets in cash for business operations. By using futures, the fund potentially can offset a portion of the gap attributable to its cash holdings. In addition, any income realized through securities lending may help reduce the portion of the gap attributable to expenses.
The fund may concentrate its investments in an industry or group of industries to the extent that its comparative index is also so concentrated.
Principal risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money. The fund’s principal risks include:
Market Risk. Equity markets rise and fall daily. As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Investment Style Risk. The fund primarily follows the small-cap portion of the U.S. stock market, as measured by the index. It follows these stocks during upturns as well as downturns. Because of its indexing strategy, the fund does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. In addition, because of the fund’s expenses, the fund’s performance may be below that of the index.
A significant percentage of the index may be composed of securities in a single industry or sector of the economy. If the fund is focused in an industry or sector, it may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the economy.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, or match the securities’ weightings to the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error.
Small-Cap Risk. Historically, small-cap stocks have been riskier than large- and mid-cap stocks. Stock prices of smaller companies may be based in substantial part on future expectations rather than current achievements and may move sharply, especially during market upturns and downturns. Small-cap companies themselves may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. During a period when small-cap stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or
large- or mid-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the fund’s or the index’s portfolio is concentrated in the securities of issuers in a particular market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class, the fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class.
Derivatives Risk. The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested. In addition, investments in derivatives may involve leverage, which means a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund.
Liquidity Risk. The fund may be unable to sell certain securities, such as illiquid securities, readily at a favorable time or price, or the fund may have to sell them at a loss.
Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent.
Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
For more information on the risks of investing in the fund, please see the “Fund details” section in the prospectus.
Performance
The bar chart below shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compared to that of the index. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All figures assume distributions were reinvested. Keep in mind that future performance (both before and after taxes) may differ from past performance. For current performance information, please see www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus . On August 21, 2009, the Investor Share class and Select Share class were combined into a single class of shares of the fund, and the fund no longer offers multiple classes of shares. The performance history of the fund, prior to August 21, 2009, is that of the fund’s former Select Shares.
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Annual total returns (%) as of 12/31
Best Quarter: 25.57% Q2 2009
Worst Quarter: (26.86%) Q4 2008
Average annual total returns (%) as of 12/31/15
  1 year 5 years 10 years
Before taxes (4.41%) 9.55% 7.60%
After taxes on distributions (6.05%) 7.85% 6.08%
After taxes on distributions and sale of shares (1.45%) 7.30% 5.91%
Comparative Index (reflects no deduction for expenses or taxes)      
Russell 2000 Index (4.41%) 9.19% 6.80%
The after-tax figures reflect the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during the period and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, an individual retirement account (IRA) or other tax-advantaged account. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares may exceed the fund’s other returns due to an assumed benefit from any losses on a sale of shares at the end of the measurement period.
Investment adviser
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
Portfolio managers
Agnes Hong, CFA, Vice President and Head of Passive Equity Strategies, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. She has managed the fund since 2012.
Ferian Juwono, CFA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2013.
David Rios, Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2015.
Purchase and sale of fund shares
The fund is open for business each day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate its share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day. When you place orders to purchase, exchange or redeem fund shares through an account at
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab) or another financial intermediary, you must follow Schwab’s or the other financial intermediary’s transaction procedures.
Eligible Investors (as determined by the fund and which generally are limited to institutional investors) may invest directly in the fund by placing purchase, exchange and redemption orders through the fund’s transfer agent. Eligible Investors must contact the transfer agent by phone or in writing to obtain an account application. Eligible Investors may contact the transfer agent:
•by telephone at 1-800-407-0256; or
•by mail to Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, P.O. Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323.
The minimum initial investment for the fund is $100. The minimum may be waived for certain investors or in the fund’s sole discretion.
Tax information
Dividends and capital gains distributions received from the fund will generally be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account.
Payments to financial intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund ®
Ticker symbol: SWTSX
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to track the total return of the entire U.S. stock market, as measured by the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index SM .
Fund fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption fee (as a % of the amount sold or exchanged within 30 days of purchase) 2.00
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
Management fees 0.06
Distribution (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.05
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.11
Less expense reduction (0.02)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction 1 0.09
1 The investment adviser and its affiliates have agreed to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) of the fund to 0.09% for so long as the investment adviser serves as the adviser to the fund. This agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the fund’s Board of Trustees.
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those time periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The figures are based on total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction. The expenses would be
the same whether you stayed in the fund or sold your shares at the end of each period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Expenses on a $10,000 investment
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
$9 $29 $51 $115
Portfolio turnover
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 2% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
To pursue its goal, the fund generally invests in stocks that are included in the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index . It is the fund’s policy that under normal circumstances it will invest at least 80% of its net assets in these stocks; typically, the actual percentage is considerably higher. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy.
The fund generally gives the same weight to a given stock as the index does. However, when the investment adviser believes it is in the best interest of the fund, such as to avoid purchasing odd-lots (i.e., purchasing less than the usual number of shares traded for a security), for tax considerations, or to address liquidity considerations with respect to a stock, the investment adviser may cause the fund’s weighting of a stock to be more or less than the index’s weighting of the stock. The fund may sell securities that are represented in the index in anticipation of their removal from the index, or buy securities that are not yet represented in the index in anticipation of their addition to the index.
Index ownership – “Standard & Poor’s ® ” and “S&P ® ” are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (S&P), and “Dow Jones ® ” is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones) and have been licensed for use by S& P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates and sublicensed for certain purposes by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM). The “Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index SM ” is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates, and has been licensed for use by CSIM. The Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, or their respective affiliates, and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, nor their respective affiliates make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the fund.
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The Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index includes all publicly traded stocks of companies headquartered in the United States for which pricing information is readily available – 3,960 stocks as of December 31, 2015. The index is a float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that reflects the shares of securities actually available to investors in the marketplace.
Because it may not be possible or practical to purchase all of the stocks included in the index, the investment adviser seeks to track the total return of the index by using statistical sampling techniques. These techniques involve investing in a limited number of index securities which, when taken together, are expected to perform similarly to the index as a whole. These techniques are based on a variety of factors, including capitalization, performance attributes, dividend yield, price/earnings ratio, risk factors, industry factors and other characteristics. The fund generally expects that its portfolio will include the largest 2,000 to 2,800 U.S. stocks (measured by the float-adjusted market capitalization), and that its industry weightings, dividend yield and price/earnings ratio will be similar to those of the index.
The fund may invest in derivatives, principally futures contracts, and lend its securities to minimize the gap in performance that naturally exists between any index fund and its corresponding index. This gap occurs mainly because, unlike the index, the fund incurs expenses and must keep a small portion of its assets in cash for business operations. By using futures, the fund potentially can offset a portion of the gap attributable to its cash holdings. In addition, any income realized through securities lending may help reduce the portion of the gap attributable to expenses.
The fund may concentrate its investments in an industry or group of industries to the extent that its comparative index is also so concentrated.
Principal risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money. The fund’s principal risks include:
Market Risk. Equity markets rise and fall daily. As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Investment Style Risk. The fund follows the U.S. stock market, as measured by the index. It follows this market during upturns as well as downturns. Because of its indexing strategy, the fund does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. In addition, because of the fund’s expenses, the fund’s performance may be below that of the index.
A significant percentage of the index may be composed of securities in a single industry or sector of the economy. If the fund is focused in an industry or sector, it may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the economy.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, or match the securities’ weightings to the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error.
Sampling Index Tracking Risk. The fund does not fully replicate its comparative index and may hold securities not included in the index. As a result, the fund is subject to the risk that the investment adviser’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. Because the fund utilizes a sampling approach, it may not track the return of the index as well as it would if the fund purchased all of the securities in the index.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the fund’s or the index’s portfolio is concentrated in the securities of issuers in a particular market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class, the fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class.
Large- and Mid-Cap Risk. Many of the risks of this fund are associated with its investment in the large- and mid-cap segments of the U.S. stock market. Both large- and mid-cap stocks tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. However, stocks of mid-cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of large-cap companies because mid-cap companies tend to be more susceptible to adverse business or economic events than larger more established companies. During a period when large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Small-Cap Risk. Historically, small-cap stocks have been riskier than large- and mid-cap stocks. Stock prices of smaller companies may be based in substantial part on future expectations rather than current achievements and may move sharply, especially during market upturns and downturns. Small-cap companies themselves may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. During a period when small-cap stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or large- or mid-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Derivatives Risk. The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested. In addition, investments in derivatives may involve leverage, which means a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund.
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Liquidity Risk. The fund may be unable to sell certain securities, such as illiquid securities, readily at a favorable time or price, or the fund may have to sell them at a loss.
Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent.
Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
For more information on the risks of investing in the fund, please see the “Fund details” section in the prospectus.
Performance
The bar chart below shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compared to that of the index. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All figures assume distributions were reinvested. Keep in mind that future performance (both before and after taxes) may differ from past performance. For current performance information, please see www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus . On September 18, 2009, the Investor Share class and Select Share class were combined into a single class of shares of the fund, and the fund no longer offers multiple classes of shares. The performance history of the fund, prior to September 18, 2009, is that of the fund’s former Select Shares.
Annual total returns (%) as of 12/31
Best Quarter: 16.24% Q2 2009
Worst Quarter: (22.54%) Q4 2008
Average annual total returns (%) as of 12/31/15
  1 year 5 years 10 years
Before taxes 0.41% 12.14% 7.49%
After taxes on distributions (0.26%) 11.61% 7.10%
After taxes on distributions and sale of shares 0.76% 9.67% 6.06%
Comparative Index (reflects no deduction for expenses or taxes)      
Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index 0.44% 12.14% 7.48%
The after-tax figures reflect the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during the period and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, an individual retirement
account (IRA) or other tax-advantaged account. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares may exceed the fund’s other returns due to an assumed benefit from any losses on a sale of shares at the end of the measurement period.
Investment adviser
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
Portfolio managers
Agnes Hong, CFA, Vice President and Head of Passive Equity Strategies, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. She has managed the fund since 2012.
Ferian Juwono, CFA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2013.
Purchase and sale of fund shares
The fund is open for business each day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate its share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day. When you place orders to purchase, exchange or redeem fund shares through an account at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab) or another financial intermediary, you must follow Schwab’s or the other financial intermediary’s transaction procedures.
Eligible Investors (as determined by the fund and which generally are limited to institutional investors) may invest directly in the fund by placing purchase, exchange and redemption orders through the fund’s transfer agent. Eligible Investors must contact the transfer agent by phone or in writing to obtain an account application. Eligible Investors may contact the transfer agent:
•by telephone at 1-800-407-0256; or
•by mail to Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, P.O. Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323.
The minimum initial investment for the fund is $100. The minimum may be waived for certain investors or in the fund’s sole discretion.
Tax information
Dividends and capital gains distributions received from the fund will generally be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account.
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Payments to financial intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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Schwab International Index Fund ®
Ticker symbol: SWISX
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the total return of large, publicly traded non-U.S. companies from countries with developed equity markets outside of the United States.
Fund fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption fee (as a % of the amount sold or exchanged within 30 days of purchase) 2.00
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
Management fees 0.15
Distribution (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.08
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.23
Less expense reduction (0.04)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction 1 0.19
1 The investment adviser and its affiliates have agreed to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) of the fund to 0.19% for so long as the investment adviser serves as the adviser to the fund. This agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the fund’s Board of Trustees.
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those time periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The figures are based on total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction. The expenses would be
the same whether you stayed in the fund or sold your shares at the end of each period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Expenses on a $10,000 investment
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
$19 $61 $107 $243
Portfolio turnover
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
To pursue its goal, the fund generally invests in stocks that are included in the MSCI EAFE ® Index . It is the fund’s policy that under normal circumstances it will invest at least 80% of its net assets in these stocks; typically, the actual percentage is considerably higher. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy.
The fund generally gives the same weight to a given stock as the index does. However, when the investment adviser believes it is in the best interest of the fund, such as to avoid purchasing odd-lots (i.e., purchasing less than the usual number of shares traded for a security), for tax considerations, or to address liquidity considerations with respect to a stock, the investment adviser may cause the fund’s weighting of a stock to be more or less than the index’s weighting of the stock. The fund may sell securities that are represented in the index in anticipation of their removal from the index, or buy securities that are not yet represented in the index in anticipation of their addition to the index. The fund does not hedge its exposure to foreign currencies. However, the fund may use forward contracts to lock in exchange rates for the portfolio securities purchased or sold, but awaiting settlement. These
Index ownership – “MSCI EAFE ® ” is a registered mark of MSCI and has been licensed for use by the Schwab International Index Fund. The Schwab International Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI bears no liability with respect to the fund. The Statement of Additional Information contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI has with the fund.
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transactions establish a rate of exchange that can be expected to be received upon settlement of the securities.
The MSCI EAFE Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and as of December 31, 2015, it consisted of the following 21 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The fund may invest in derivatives, principally futures contracts, and lend its securities to minimize the gap in performance that naturally exists between any index fund and its corresponding index. This gap occurs mainly because, unlike the index, the fund incurs expenses and must keep a small portion of its assets in cash for business operations. By using futures, the fund potentially can offset a portion of the gap attributable to its cash holdings. In addition, any income realized through securities lending may help reduce the portion of the gap attributable to expenses.
The fund may concentrate its investments in an industry or group of industries to the extent that its comparative index is also so concentrated.
Principal risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money. The fund’s principal risks include:
Market Risk. Equity markets rise and fall daily. As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Investment Style Risk. The fund primarily follows the performance of a mix of international large-cap stocks, as measured by the index. It follows these stocks during upturns as well as downturns. Because of its indexing strategy, the fund does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. In addition, because of the fund’s expenses, the fund’s performance may be below that of the index.
A significant percentage of the index may be composed of securities in a single industry or sector of the economy. If the fund is focused in an industry or sector, it may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the economy.
Large-Cap Risk. Large-cap stocks tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. During a period when these stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or mid- or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain
securities in its index, or match the securities’ weightings to the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error.
Foreign Investment Risk. The fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers may involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These include risks of adverse changes in foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions; changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations (including limitations on currency movements and exchanges); the imposition of economic sanctions or other government restrictions; differing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices; differing securities market structures; and higher transaction costs. These risks may negatively impact the value or liquidity of the fund’s investments, and could impair the fund’s ability to meet its investment objective or invest in accordance with its investment strategy. To the extent the fund’s investments in a single country or a limited number of countries represent a higher percentage of the fund’s assets, the fund assumes the risk that economic, political and social conditions in those countries will have a significant impact on its investment performance and it may be subject to increased price volatility.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the fund’s or the index’s portfolio is concentrated in the securities of issuers in a particular market, industry, group of industries, sector, country or asset class, the fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that market, industry, group of industries, sector, country or asset class.
Derivatives Risk. The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested. In addition, investments in derivatives may involve leverage, which means a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund.
Liquidity Risk. The fund may be unable to sell certain securities, such as illiquid securities, readily at a favorable time or price, or the fund may have to sell them at a loss.
Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent.
Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
For more information on the risks of investing in the fund, please see the “Fund details” section in the prospectus.
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Performance
The bar chart below shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compared to that of the index. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All figures assume distributions were reinvested. Keep in mind that future performance (both before and after taxes) may differ from past performance. For current performance information, please see www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus . On August 21, 2009, the Investor Share class and Select Share class were combined into a single class of shares of the fund, and the fund no longer offers multiple classes of shares. The performance history of the fund, prior to August 21, 2009, is that of the fund’s former Select Shares.
Annual total returns (%) as of 12/31
Best Quarter: 24.57% Q2 2009
Worst Quarter: (21.13%) Q4 2008
Average annual total returns (%) as of 12/31/15
  1 year 5 years 10 years
Before taxes (0.88%) 3.60% 3.07%
After taxes on distributions (1.41%) 2.99% 2.57%
After taxes on distributions and sale of shares 0.11% 2.90% 2.59%
Comparative Index (reflects no deduction for expenses or taxes)      
MSCI EAFE Index (Net) 1 (0.81%) 3.60% 3.03%
1 The net version of the index reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes, but reflects no deductions for expenses or other taxes.
The after-tax figures reflect the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during the period and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, an individual retirement account (IRA) or other tax-advantaged account. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares may exceed the fund’s other returns due to an assumed benefit from any losses on a sale of shares at the end of the measurement period.
Investment adviser
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
Portfolio managers
Agnes Hong, CFA, Vice President and Head of Passive Equity Strategies, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. She has managed the fund since 2012.
Ferian Juwono, CFA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the fund. He has managed the fund since 2013.
Purchase and sale of fund shares
The fund is open for business each day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate its share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day. When you place orders to purchase, exchange or redeem fund shares through an account at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab) or another financial intermediary, you must follow Schwab’s or the other financial intermediary’s transaction procedures.
Eligible Investors (as determined by the fund and which generally are limited to institutional investors) may invest directly in the fund by placing purchase, exchange and redemption orders through the fund’s transfer agent. Eligible Investors must contact the transfer agent by phone or in writing to obtain an account application. Eligible Investors may contact the transfer agent:
•by telephone at 1-800-407-0256; or
•by mail to Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, P.O. Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323.
The minimum initial investment for the fund is $100. The minimum may be waived for certain investors or in the fund’s sole discretion.
Tax information
Dividends and capital gains distributions received from the fund will generally be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account.
Payments to financial intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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Fund details
There can be no assurance that the funds will achieve their objectives. Except as explicitly described otherwise, the strategies and policies of each fund may be changed without shareholder approval.
The principal investment strategies and the main risks associated with investing in each fund are summarized in the fund summaries at the front of this prospectus. This section takes a more detailed look at some of the types of securities, the associated risks, and the various investment strategies that may be used in day-to-day portfolio management of the funds, as described below. In addition to the particular types of securities and strategies that are described in this prospectus, each fund may use strategies that are not described herein in support of its overall investment goal. These additional strategies and the risks associated with them are described in the “Investment strategies, securities and risks” section in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Investment objectives and more about principal risks
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to track the total return of the S&P 500 Index.
Index
The S&P 500 Index includes the stocks of 500 leading U.S. publicly traded companies from a broad range of industries. Standard & Poor’s, the company that maintains the index, uses a variety of measures to determine which stocks are listed in the index. Each stock is represented in the index in proportion to its total market value.
Although the 500 companies in the index constitute only about 13% of all the publicly traded companies in the United States, they represent approximately 79% of the total value of the U.S. stock market, as of December 31, 2015. Companies of this size are generally considered large-cap stocks. Their performance is widely followed, and the index itself is popularly seen as a measure of overall U.S. stock market performance.
Because the index weights a stock according to its market capitalization (total market value of all shares outstanding), larger stocks have more influence on the performance of the index than do the index’s smaller stocks.
More information about principal investment risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, match the securities’ weighting to the index, or the fund may invest in securities not in the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error. The fund may attempt to offset the effects of not being invested in certain index securities by making substitute investments, but these efforts may not be successful. In addition, cash flows into and out of the fund, operating expenses and trading costs all affect the ability of the fund to match the performance of its index, because the index does not have to manage cash flows and does not incur any costs.
Large-Cap Risk. Although the S&P 500 Index encompasses stocks from many different sectors of the economy, its performance primarily reflects that of large-cap stocks, which tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. As a result, during a period when these stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or mid- or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Derivatives Risk. The fund may use derivatives to enhance returns or hedge against market declines. Examples of derivatives are futures and options on futures. An option is the right to buy or sell an instrument at a specific price before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a financial instrument at a specific price on a specific day. The use of derivatives, subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), could cause the fund to become a commodity pool, which would require the fund to comply with certain CFTC rules.
The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from or possibly greater than the risks associated with investing directly in
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securities and other traditional investments. Certain of these risks, such as liquidity risk and market risk, are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. The fund’s use of derivatives is also subject to lack of availability risk, credit risk, leverage risk, valuation risk, correlation risk and tax risk. Lack of availability risk is the risk that suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivatives transaction may not fulfill its obligations. Leverage risk is the risk that a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund. Valuation risk is the risk that a particular derivative may be valued incorrectly. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Tax risk is the risk that the use of derivatives may cause the fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gain. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments may be difficult to purchase, sell or value, especially during stressed market conditions. The market for certain investments may become illiquid due to specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer or under adverse market or economic conditions independent of the issuer. In such cases, the fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in readily purchasing and selling such securities at favorable times or prices, may decline in value, experience lower returns and/or be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain issuer or sector. Further, transactions in illiquid securities may entail transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. Liquidity risk also includes the risk that market conditions or large shareholder redemptions may impact the ability of the fund to meet redemption requests within the required time period. In order to meet such redemption requests, the fund may be forced to sell securities at inopportune times or prices.
Securities Lending Risk. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that the loan is fully collateralized. When the fund lends portfolio securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the fund will also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. The fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The fund may pay lending fees to a party arranging the loan.
Schwab 1000 Index Fund
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to match the total return of the Schwab 1000 Index.
Index
The Schwab 1000 Index includes the stocks of the 1,000 largest stocks of publicly traded companies in the United States, with size being determined by market capitalization (total market value of all shares outstanding). The index is designed to be a measure of the performance of large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks.
Although there are currently more than 3,960 total stocks in the United States, the companies represented by the Schwab 1000 Index make up some 91% of the total value of all U.S. stocks, as of December 31, 2015. These large- and mid-cap stocks cover many industries and represent many sizes. Because large- and mid-cap stocks can perform differently from each other at times, a fund that invests in both categories of stocks may have somewhat different performance than a fund that invests only in large-cap stocks.
More information about principal investment risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, match the securities’ weighting to the index, or the fund may invest in securities not in the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error. The fund may attempt to offset the effects of not being invested in certain index securities by making substitute investments, but these efforts may not be successful. In addition, cash flows into and out of the fund, operating expenses and trading costs all affect the ability of the fund to match the performance of its index, because the index does not have to manage cash flows and does not incur any costs.
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Large- and Mid-Cap Risk. Many of the risks of this fund are associated with its investment in the large- and mid-cap segments of the U.S. stock market. Both large- and mid-cap stocks tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. However, stocks of mid-cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of large-cap companies because mid-cap companies tend to be more susceptible to adverse business or economic events than larger more established companies. During a period when large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Derivatives Risk. The fund may use derivatives to enhance returns or hedge against market declines. Examples of derivatives are futures and options on futures. An option is the right to buy or sell an instrument at a specific price before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a financial instrument at a specific price on a specific day. The use of derivatives, subject to regulation by the CFTC, could cause the fund to become a commodity pool, which would require the fund to comply with certain CFTC rules.
The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from or possibly greater than the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Certain of these risks, such as liquidity risk and market risk, are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. The fund’s use of derivatives is also subject to lack of availability risk, credit risk, leverage risk, valuation risk, correlation risk and tax risk. Lack of availability risk is the risk that suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivatives transaction may not fulfill its obligations. Leverage risk is the risk that a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund. Valuation risk is the risk that a particular derivative may be valued incorrectly. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Tax risk is the risk that the use of derivatives may cause the fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gain. The fund's use of derivatives could reduce the fund's performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments may be difficult to purchase, sell or value, especially during stressed market conditions. The market for certain investments may become illiquid due to specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer or under adverse market or economic conditions independent of the issuer. In such cases, the fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in readily purchasing and selling such securities at favorable times or prices, may decline in value, experience lower returns and/or be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain issuer or sector. Further, transactions in illiquid securities may entail transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. Liquidity risk also includes the risk that market conditions or large shareholder redemptions may impact the ability of the fund to meet redemption requests within the required time period. In order to meet such redemption requests, the fund may be forced to sell securities at inopportune times or prices.
Securities Lending Risk. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that the loan is fully collateralized. When the fund lends portfolio securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the fund will also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. The fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The fund may pay lending fees to a party arranging the loan.
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the total return of small capitalization U.S. stocks.
Index
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by tracking the total return of the Russell 2000 Index. The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the small-cap sector of the U.S. equity market. The index is a subset of the Russell 3000 Index, representing approximately the 2000 smallest issuers and, as of December 31, 2015, approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
Historically, the performance of small-cap stocks has not always paralleled that of large-cap stocks. For this reason, some investors use them to diversify a portfolio that invests in larger stocks.
More information about principal investment risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
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Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, match the securities’ weighting to the index, or the fund may invest in securities not in the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error. The fund may attempt to offset the effects of not being invested in certain index securities by making substitute investments, but these efforts may not be successful. In addition, cash flows into and out of the fund, operating expenses and trading costs all affect the ability of the fund to match the performance of its index, because the index does not have to manage cash flows and does not incur any costs.
Small-Cap Risk. Historically, small-cap stocks have been riskier than large- and mid-cap stocks. Stock prices of smaller companies may be based in substantial part on future expectations rather than current achievements and may move sharply, especially during market upturns and downturns. Small-cap companies themselves may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. During a period when small-cap stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or large- or mid-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Derivatives Risk. The fund may use derivatives to enhance returns or hedge against market declines. Examples of derivatives are futures and options on futures. An option is the right to buy or sell an instrument at a specific price before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a financial instrument at a specific price on a specific day. The use of derivatives, subject to regulation by the CFTC, could cause the fund to become a commodity pool, which would require the fund to comply with certain CFTC rules.
The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from or possibly greater than the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Certain of these risks, such as liquidity risk and market risk, are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. The fund’s use of derivatives is also subject to lack of availability risk, credit risk, leverage risk, valuation risk, correlation risk and tax risk. Lack of availability risk is the risk that suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivatives transaction may not fulfill its obligations. Leverage risk is the risk that a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund. Valuation risk is the risk that a particular derivative may be valued incorrectly. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Tax risk is the risk that the use of derivatives may cause the fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gain. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments may be difficult to purchase, sell or value, especially during stressed market conditions. The market for certain investments may become illiquid due to specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer or under adverse market or economic conditions independent of the issuer. In such cases, the fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in readily purchasing and selling such securities at favorable times or prices, may decline in value, experience lower returns and/or be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain issuer or sector. Further, transactions in illiquid securities may entail transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. Liquidity risk also includes the risk that market conditions or large shareholder redemptions may impact the ability of the fund to meet redemption requests within the required time period. In order to meet such redemption requests, the fund may be forced to sell securities at inopportune times or prices.
Securities Lending Risk. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that the loan is fully collateralized. When the fund lends portfolio securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the fund will also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. The fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The fund may pay lending fees to a party arranging the loan.
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is the track the total return of the entire U.S. stock market, as measured by the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index.
Index
The fund’s comparative index includes all publicly traded stocks of companies headquartered in the United States for which pricing information is readily available – 3,960 stocks, as of December 31, 2015. The index is a float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that reflects the shares of securities actually available to investors in the marketplace.
The U.S. stock market is commonly divided into three segments, based on market capitalization. Mid- and small-cap stocks are the most numerous, but make up only about one-third of the total value of the market. In contrast, large-cap stocks are relatively few in number but
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make up approximately two-thirds of the market’s total value. In fact, the largest 1,000 of the market’s listed stocks represent about 91% of its total value, as of December 31, 2015.
In terms of performance, these segments can behave somewhat differently from each other, over the short-term as well as the long-term. For that reason, the performance of the overall stock market can be seen as a blend of the performance of all three segments.
More information about principal investment risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in all of the securities in its index or may invest in securities not in the index, because the manager may use a sampling technique that is designed to balance the risk of tracking error against the negative effects of transaction costs associated with certain investments. Similarly, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, or match the securities’ weighting to the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error. The fund may attempt to offset the effects of not being invested in certain index securities by making substitute investments, but these efforts may not be successful. In addition, cash flows into and out of the fund, operating expenses and trading costs all affect the ability of the fund to match the performance of its index, because the index does not have to manage cash flows and does not incur any costs.
Large- and Mid-Cap Risk. Many of the risks of this fund are associated with its investment in the large- and mid-cap segments of the U.S. stock market. Both large- and mid-cap stocks tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. However, stocks of mid-cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of large-cap companies because mid-cap companies tend to be more susceptible to adverse business or economic events than larger more established companies. During a period when large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Small-Cap Risk. Historically, small-cap stocks have been riskier than large- and mid-cap stocks. Stock prices of smaller companies may be based in substantial part on future expectations rather than current achievements and may move sharply, especially during market upturns and downturns. Small-cap companies themselves may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. During a period when small-cap stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or large- or mid-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Derivatives Risk. The fund may use derivatives to enhance returns or hedge against market declines. Examples of derivatives are futures and options on futures. An option is the right to buy or sell an instrument at a specific price before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a financial instrument at a specific price on a specific day. The use of derivatives, subject to regulation by the CFTC, could cause the fund to become a commodity pool, which would require the fund to comply with certain CFTC rules.
The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from or possibly greater than the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Certain of these risks, such as liquidity risk and market risk, are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. The fund’s use of derivatives is also subject to lack of availability risk, credit risk, leverage risk, valuation risk, correlation risk and tax risk. Lack of availability risk is the risk that suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivatives transaction may not fulfill its obligations. Leverage risk is the risk that a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund. Valuation risk is the risk that a particular derivative may be valued incorrectly. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Tax risk is the risk that the use of derivatives may cause the fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gain. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments may be difficult to purchase, sell or value, especially during stressed market conditions. The market for certain investments may become illiquid due to specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer or under adverse market or economic conditions independent of the issuer. In such cases, the fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in readily purchasing and selling such securities at favorable times or prices, may decline in value, experience lower returns and/or be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain issuer or sector. Further, transactions in illiquid securities may entail transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. Liquidity risk also includes the risk that market conditions or large shareholder redemptions may impact the ability of the fund to meet redemption
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requests within the required time period. In order to meet such redemption requests, the fund may be forced to sell securities at inopportune times or prices.
Securities Lending Risk. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that the loan is fully collateralized. When the fund lends portfolio securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the fund will also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. The fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The fund may pay lending fees to a party arranging the loan.
Schwab International Index Fund
Investment objective
The fund’s goal is to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the total return of large, publicly traded non-U.S. companies from countries with developed equity markets outside of the United States.
Index
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by tracking the total return of the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and as of December 31, 2015, it consisted of the following 21 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Over the past decades, foreign stock markets have grown rapidly. The market value of the index captures approximately 35% of the world’s total market capitalization, as of December 31, 2015.
For some investors, an international index fund represents an opportunity for low-cost access to a variety of world markets in one fund. Others turn to international stocks to diversify a portfolio of U.S. investments, because international stock markets historically have performed somewhat differently from the U.S. market.
More information about principal investment risks
The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money.
Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Large-Cap Risk. Large-cap stocks tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. During a period when these stocks fall behind other types of investments – bonds or mid- or small-cap stocks, for instance – the fund’s performance also will lag those investments.
Tracking Error Risk. As an index fund, the fund seeks to track the performance of its comparative index, although it may not be successful in doing so. The divergence between the performance of the fund and its index, positive or negative, is called “tracking error.” Tracking error can be caused by many factors and it may be significant. For example, the fund may not invest in certain securities in its index, match the securities’ weighting to the index, or the fund may invest in securities not in the index, due to regulatory, operational, custodial or liquidity constraints; corporate transactions; asset valuations; transaction costs and timing; tax considerations; and index rebalancing, which may result in tracking error. In addition, the fund may not invest in issuers located in certain countries due to these considerations. The fund may attempt to offset the effects of not being invested in certain index securities by making substitute investments, but these efforts may not be successful. In certain circumstances, the fund may value securities based on fair value developed using methods approved by the fund’s board of trustees. To the extent the fund calculates its net asset value (NAV) based on fair value prices, the fund’s performance may diverge from its index. In addition, cash flows into and out of the fund, operating expenses and trading costs all affect the ability of the fund to match the performance of its index, because the index does not have to manage cash flows and does not incur any costs.
Foreign Investment Risk. The fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These include risks of adverse changes in foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions; changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations (including limitations on currency movements and exchanges); the imposition of economic sanctions or other government restrictions; differing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices; differing securities market structures; and higher transaction costs. In certain countries, legal remedies available to investors may be more limited than those available with respect to investments in the United States. The securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid and, at times, more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The fund may also experience more rapid or extreme changes in value as compared to a fund that invests solely in securities of U.S. companies because the
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securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. In addition, the fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to economic sanctions or other government restrictions. These restrictions may negatively impact the value or liquidity of the fund’s investments, and could impair the fund’s ability to meet its investment objective or invest in accordance with its investment strategy. There is also the risk that the cost of buying, selling, and holding foreign securities, including brokerage, tax, and custody costs, may be higher than those involved in domestic transactions. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.
Currency Risk. As a result of the fund’s investments in securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the fund will be subject to currency risk. This is the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency hedged. In either event, the dollar value of an investment in the fund would be adversely affected. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate in response to factors extrinsic to that country’s economy, which makes the forecasting of currency market movements difficult. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or failure to intervene) by governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. These can result in losses to the fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or monies in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transactions costs.
Derivatives Risk. The fund may use derivatives to enhance returns or hedge against market declines. Examples of derivatives are futures and options on futures. An option is the right to buy or sell an instrument at a specific price before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a financial instrument at a specific price on a specific day. The use of derivatives, subject to regulation by the CFTC, could cause the fund to become a commodity pool, which would require the fund to comply with certain CFTC rules.
The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from or possibly greater than the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Certain of these risks, such as liquidity risk and market risk, are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. The fund’s use of derivatives is also subject to lack of availability risk, credit risk, leverage risk, valuation risk, correlation risk and tax risk. Lack of availability risk is the risk that suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivatives transaction may not fulfill its obligations. Leverage risk is the risk that a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately large impact on the fund. Valuation risk is the risk that a particular derivative may be valued incorrectly. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Tax risk is the risk that the use of derivatives may cause the fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gain. The fund’s use of derivatives could reduce the fund’s performance, increase its volatility, and could cause the fund to lose more than the initial amount invested.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments may be difficult to purchase, sell or value, especially during stressed market conditions. The market for certain investments may become illiquid due to specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer or under adverse market or economic conditions independent of the issuer. In such cases, the fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in readily purchasing and selling such securities at favorable times or prices, may decline in value, experience lower returns and/or be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain issuer or sector. Further, transactions in illiquid securities may entail transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. Liquidity risk also includes the risk that market conditions or large shareholder redemptions may impact the ability of the fund to meet redemption requests within the required time period. In order to meet such redemption requests, the fund may be forced to sell securities at inopportune times or prices.
Securities Lending Risk. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that the loan is fully collateralized. When the fund lends portfolio securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the fund will also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. The fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The fund may pay lending fees to a party arranging the loan.
Portfolio holdings
The funds may make various types of portfolio securities information available to shareholders. The funds post a detailed list of the securities held by each fund at www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus (under “Portfolio Holdings”) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. This list is generally updated approximately 15-20 days after the end of the calendar quarter remaining posted until at least the following calendar quarter. The funds also post in the fund summary section of the website and on fund fact sheets certain summary portfolio attributes, including top ten holdings, approximately 5-25 days after the end of the calendar quarter. The funds may exclude any portion of these portfolio holdings from publication when deemed in the best interest of a fund. Further information regarding the funds’ policy and procedures on the disclosure of portfolio holdings is available in the SAI.
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Financial highlights
This section provides further details about each fund’s financial history for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. “Total return” shows the percentage that an investor in a fund would have earned or lost during a given period, assuming all distributions were reinvested. Each fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), audited these figures. PwC’s full report is included in each fund’s annual report (see back cover).
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund
  11/1/14–
10/31/15
11/1/13–
10/31/14
11/1/12–
10/31/13
11/1/11–
10/31/12
11/1/10–
10/31/11
 
Per-Share Data
Net asset value at beginning of period $ 31.99 $ 27.78 $ 22.35 $ 19.82 $ 18.70  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            
Net investment income (loss) 0.67 1 0.56 0.52 0.44 0.39  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) 0.92 4.13 5.40 2.49 1.09  
Total from investment operations 1.59 4.69 5.92 2.93 1.48  
Less distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.58) (0.48) (0.49) (0.40) (0.36)  
Net asset value at end of period $ 33.00 $ 31.99 $ 27.78 $ 22.35 $ 19.82  
Total return 5.10% 17.16% 27.06% 15.09% 7.97%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratios to average net assets:            
Net operating expenses 0.09% 0.09% 0.09% 0.09% 0.09%  
Gross operating expenses 0.09% 0.09% 0.09% 0.10% 0.10%  
Net investment income (loss) 2.07% 1.89% 2.10% 2.09% 1.96%  
Portfolio turnover rate 2% 2% 1% 2% 3%  
Net assets, end of period (x 1,000,000) $21,587 $20,473 $17,121 $12,687 $10,909  
1
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding during the period.
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Schwab 1000 Index Fund
  11/1/14–
10/31/15
11/1/13–
10/31/14
11/1/12–
10/31/13
11/1/11–
10/31/12
11/1/10–
10/31/11
 
Per-Share Data
Net asset value at beginning of period $53.63 $48.31 $40.23 $ 37.44 $ 35.79  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            
Net investment income (loss) 1 0.94 0.83 0.81 0.71 0.62  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) 1.40 6.74 9.74 4.32 2.07  
Total from investment operations 2.34 7.57 10.55 5.03 2.69  
Less distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.86) (0.75) (0.81) (0.72) (0.57)  
Distributions from net realized gains (1.44) (1.50) (1.66) (1.52) (0.47)  
Total distributions (2.30) (2.25) (2.47) (2.24) (1.04)  
Net asset value at end of period $ 53.67 $ 53.63 $48.31 $40.23 $ 37.44  
Total return 4.66% 16.36% 27.85% 14.38% 7.60%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratios to average net assets:            
Net operating expenses 0.29% 0.29% 0.29% 0.29% 0.29%  
Gross operating expenses 0.33% 0.33% 0.34% 0.34% 0.34%  
Net investment income (loss) 1.77% 1.64% 1.87% 1.85% 1.64%  
Portfolio turnover rate 4% 4% 4% 4% 5%  
Net assets, end of period (x 1,000,000) $6,550 $6,586 $ 5,887 $4,848 $4,552  
1
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding during the period.
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Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund
  11/1/14–
10/31/15
11/1/13–
10/31/14
11/1/12–
10/31/13
11/1/11–
10/31/12
11/1/10–
10/31/11
 
Per-Share Data
Net asset value at beginning of period $28.13 $ 27.62 $ 21.26 $20.55 $19.18  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            
Net investment income (loss) 1 0.38 0.35 0.42 0.33 0.25  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) (0.34) 1.76 6.94 1.89 1.37  
Total from investment operations 0.04 2.11 7.36 2.22 1.62  
Less distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.34) (0.31) (0.50) (0.35) (0.20)  
Distributions from net realized gains (1.54) (1.29) (0.50) (1.16) (0.05)  
Total distributions (1.88) (1.60) (1.00) (1.51) (0.25)  
Net asset value at end of period $26.29 $28.13 $ 27.62 $21.26 $20.55  
Total return 0.36% 8.08% 36.23% 11.87% 8.45%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratios to average net assets:            
Net operating expenses 0.17% 0.17% 0.17% 0.17% 0.19%  
Gross operating expenses 0.20% 0.21% 0.20% 0.21% 0.19%  
Net investment income (loss) 1.37% 1.27% 1.76% 1.63% 1.18%  
Portfolio turnover rate 17% 12% 11% 41% 2 26%  
Net assets, end of period (x 1,000,000) $ 2,607 $ 2,567 $ 2,351 $ 1,675 $1,502  
1
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding during the period.
2
Portfolio turnover rate increase was mainly the result of trading activities in connection with the change in primary benchmark index effective December 14, 2011.
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Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund
  11/1/14–
10/31/15
11/1/13–
10/31/14
11/1/12–
10/31/13
11/1/11–
10/31/12
11/1/10–
10/31/11
 
Per-Share Data
Net asset value at beginning of period $36.96 $ 32.53 $25.80 $ 22.92 $ 21.57  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            
Net investment income (loss) 0.72 1 0.60 0.57 0.47 0.41  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) 0.83 4.49 6.70 2.83 1.33  
Total from investment operations 1.55 5.09 7.27 3.30 1.74  
Less distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.61) (0.51) (0.54) (0.42) (0.39)  
Distributions from net realized gains (0.21) (0.15)  
Total distributions (0.82) (0.66) (0.54) (0.42) (0.39)  
Net asset value at end of period $ 37.69 $36.96 $ 32.53 $25.80 $22.92  
Total return 4.36% 15.93% 28.76% 14.71% 8.14%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratios to average net assets:            
Net operating expenses 0.09% 0.09% 0.09% 0.09% 0.09%  
Gross operating expenses 0.11% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.11%  
Net investment income (loss) 1.92% 1.79% 2.02% 2.02% 1.79%  
Portfolio turnover rate 2% 1% 2% 3% 1%  
Net assets, end of period (x 1,000,000) $ 4,477 $ 4,049 $ 3,183 $2,240 $ 1,747  
1
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding during the period.
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Schwab International Index Fund
  11/1/14–
10/31/15
11/1/13–
10/31/14
11/1/12–
10/31/13
11/1/11–
10/31/12
11/1/10–
10/31/11
 
Per-Share Data
Net asset value at beginning of period $ 19.42 $ 19.92 $ 16.32 $16.02 $ 17.31  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            
Net investment income (loss) 0.54 1 0.64 0.49 0.57 0.57  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) (0.86) (0.63) 3.69 0.33 (1.38)  
Total from investment operations (0.32) 0.01 4.18 0.90 (0.81)  
Less distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.61) (0.51) (0.58) (0.60) (0.48)  
Net asset value at end of period $18.49 $ 19.42 $ 19.92 $16.32 $16.02  
Total return (1.53%) 0.09% 26.40% 6.07% (4.83%)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratios to average net assets:            
Net operating expenses 0.19% 0.19% 0.19% 0.19% 0.19%  
Gross operating expenses 0.23% 0.23% 0.23% 0.23% 0.21%  
Net investment income (loss) 2.82% 3.42% 2.88% 3.66% 3.26%  
Portfolio turnover rate 7% 2% 5% 31% 2 10%  
Net assets, end of period (x 1,000,000) $ 2,844 $2,699 $ 2,205 $1,415 $ 1,375  
1
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding during the period.
2
Portfolio turnover rate increase was mainly the result of trading activities in connection with the change in primary benchmark index effective December 20, 2011.
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Fund management
The investment adviser for the funds is Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM), 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. CSIM was founded in 1989 and as of January 31, 2016, managed approximately $277 billion in assets.
As the investment adviser, the firm oversees the asset management and administration of the funds. As compensation for these services, the firm receives a management fee from each fund. For the 12 months ended October 31, 2015, these fees were 0.06% for the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund, 0.18% for the Schwab 1000 Index Fund, 0.12% for the Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund, 0.04% for the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund, and 0.12% for the Schwab International Index Fund. These figures, which are expressed as a percentage of each fund’s average daily net assets, represent the actual amounts paid, including the effects of reductions.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of each fund’s investment advisory agreement is available in each fund’s 2015 annual report, which covers the period of November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2015.
Agnes Hong,CFA, Vice President and Head of Passive Equity Strategies, leads the portfolio management teams of Schwab’s passive equity funds and ETFs, which comprise the Schwab Equity Index Funds, the Schwab Fundamental Index Funds and the Schwab Equity ETFs. She also has overall responsibility for all aspects of the management of the funds. Prior to joining CSIM in 2009, Ms. Hong spent five years as a portfolio manager at Barclays Global Investors (subsequently acquired by BlackRock), where she managed institutional index funds and quantitative active funds. Prior to that, Ms. Hong worked in management consulting and product management, servicing global financial services clients.
Ferian Juwono,CFA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the Schwab Equity Index Funds, the Schwab Fundamental Index Funds and the Schwab Equity ETFs. Prior to joining CSIM in 2010, Mr. Juwono worked at BlackRock (formerly Barclays Global Investors), where he spent more than three years as a portfolio manager, managing equity index funds for institutional clients, and nearly two years as a senior business analyst. Prior to that, Mr. Juwono worked for over four years as a senior financial analyst with Union Bank of California.
David Rios, Portfolio Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the Schwab Passive Equity Strategies, including the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund, Schwab 1000 Index Fund, Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund and Schwab S&P 500 Portfolio. He joined CSIM in 2008 and became a Portfolio Manager in September 2014. Prior to this role, Mr. Rios served as an Associate Portfolio Manager on the Schwab Equity Index Strategies team for four years. His first role with CSIM was as a trade operation specialist. He also previously worked as a senior fund accountant at Investors Bank & Trust (subsequently acquired by State Street Corporation).
Additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in each fund is available in the SAI.
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Investing in the funds
In this section, you will find information on buying, selling and exchanging shares. You may invest in the funds through an intermediary by placing orders through your brokerage account at Schwab or an account with another broker/dealer, investment adviser, 401(k) plan, employee benefit plan, administrator, bank, or other financial intermediary (intermediary) that is authorized to accept orders on behalf of a fund (intermediary orders). Eligible Investors (as defined herein) may invest directly in a fund by placing orders through the fund’s transfer agent (direct orders). You also will see how to choose a distribution option for your investment. Helpful information on taxes is included as well.
Investing through a financial intermediary
Placing orders through your intermediary
When you place orders through Schwab or other intermediary, you are not placing your orders directly with the funds, and you must follow Schwab’s or the other intermediary’s transaction procedures. Your intermediary may impose different or additional conditions than the funds on purchases, redemptions and exchanges of fund shares. These differences may include initial, subsequent and maintenance investment requirements, exchange policies, fund choices, cut-off times for investment and trading restrictions. Your intermediary may independently establish and charge its customers transaction fees, account fees and other fees in addition to the fees charged by the funds. These additional fees may vary over time and would increase the cost of your investment and lower investment returns. You should consult your intermediary directly for information regarding these conditions and fees. The funds are not responsible for the failure of your intermediary to carry out its responsibilities.
Only certain intermediaries are authorized to accept orders on behalf of a fund. If your fund shares are no longer held by an authorized intermediary, the fund may impose restrictions on your ability to manage or maintain your shares. For example, you will not be able to place orders to purchase additional shares. To remove these restrictions, you have two options. First, you may move your shares to Schwab or another intermediary that is authorized to accept fund orders. Second, you may maintain a direct account with a fund if you meet the eligibility requirements for placing direct orders and your completed account application and supporting documentation is returned to and accepted by the fund’s transfer agent, Boston Financial Data Services (transfer agent). The eligibility requirements and instructions for submitting an account application are set forth in the “Investing directly with the funds” section of this prospectus. If you do not exercise one of these options within ninety days, a fund reserves the right to redeem your shares.
Buying, selling and exchanging shares through an intermediary
To purchase, redeem or exchange shares held in your Schwab account or in your account at another intermediary, you must place your orders with the intermediary that holds your shares. You may not purchase, redeem or exchange shares held in your intermediary account directly with a fund.
When selling or exchanging shares, you should be aware of the following fund policies:
•Each fund may take up to seven days to pay sale proceeds.
•Each fund reserves the right to honor redemptions in liquid portfolio securities instead of cash when your redemptions over a 90-day period exceed $250,000 or 1% of the fund’s assets, whichever is less. You may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.
•Exchange orders are limited to other Schwab Funds ® that are not Sweep Investments ® or Laudus MarketMasters Funds ® , and must meet the minimum investment and other requirements for the fund and share class, if applicable, into which you are exchanging.
•You should obtain and read the prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging prior to placing your order.
Investing directly with the funds
Investor eligibility requirements for placing direct orders
Only Eligible Investors (as defined below) may purchase shares directly from the funds’ transfer agent, Boston Financial Data Services. Eligible Investors include, but are not limited to, qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans (including but not limited to defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and 401(k) plans), foundations and endowments, banks, trusts, investment companies and corporate capital and cash management accounts. Eligible Investors may also be shareholders who receive shares of a Schwab fund as a result of a reorganization of a fund. The funds reserve the right to determine which potential investors qualify as Eligible Investors. Shares held by a non-Eligible Investor directly with a fund are subject to involuntary redemption by the fund.
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Opening an account to place direct orders
You must satisfy the investor eligibility requirements for direct order clients to place direct orders for a fund’s shares. Eligible Investors must open an account with a fund through the fund’s transfer agent, prior to placing direct orders. You may obtain an account application by calling the transfer agent at 1-800-407-0256. Your completed application and supporting documents must be returned to, and accepted by, the transfer agent before you can place direct orders. You cannot place direct orders through your Schwab account or through your account at another intermediary.
Initial and additional direct purchases by wire
Subject to acceptance by a fund, you may make your initial purchase and any additional purchases of shares by wiring federal funds to the transfer agent. If you have not yet opened an account with a fund, you must fax a signed, hard copy of the completed account application and all supporting documents to the transfer agent at 1-816-218-0490. You must call the transfer agent at 1-800-407-0256 prior to the close of the fund (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time or the close of the NYSE, whichever is earlier) to place your order and to receive wire instructions. Orders received by the transfer agent in good order on or prior to the close of the fund will be processed at the net asset value per share of the fund for that day. Your wired funds must be received and accepted by the transfer agent prior to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time or the deadline for the Fedwire Funds Service for initiating third party transfers, whichever is earlier, on the day your purchase order is placed. Please call the transfer agent at 1-800-407-0256 if you have any questions or need additional information.
Initial and additional direct purchases by mail
Subject to acceptance by a fund, you may open an account and make your initial purchase and any additional purchases of a fund’s shares by mail. To open an account by mail, complete and sign the account application and mail the account application, all supporting documents and a check for the desired purchase amount to the transfer agent at Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, PO Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323. Additional investments may be made at any time by mailing a check (payable to Schwab Funds) to the transfer agent at the address above. Be sure to include your account number on your check.
Subject to acceptance by the fund, payment for the purchase of shares received by mail will be credited to a shareholder’s account at the net asset value per share of the fund next determined after receipt, even though the check may not yet have been converted into federal funds. For purposes of calculating the purchase price of fund shares, a purchase order is received by the fund on the day that it is in good order unless it is rejected by the fund’s transfer agent. For a cash purchase order of fund shares to be in good order on a particular day, a check must be received on or before the close of the fund (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time or the close of the NYSE, whichever is earlier) on that day. If the payment is received by a fund after the deadline, the purchase price of fund shares will be based upon the next determination of net asset value of fund shares. No currency, third party checks, foreign checks, starter checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or money orders will be accepted by the fund.
Direct redemptions and exchanges
When selling or exchanging shares directly, you should be aware of the following fund policies:
•Each fund may take up to seven days to pay sale proceeds.
•Each fund reserves the right to honor redemptions in liquid portfolio securities instead of cash when your redemptions over a 90-day period exceed $250,000 or 1% of the fund’s assets, whichever is less. You may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.
•Exchange orders are limited to other Schwab Funds that are not Sweep Investments or Laudus MarketMasters Funds, and must meet the minimum investment and other requirements for the fund and share class, if applicable, into which you are exchanging.
•If you are selling shares that were recently purchased by check, the proceeds may be delayed until the check for purchase clears; this may take up to 15 days from the date of purchase.
•You should obtain and read the prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging prior to placing your order.
Direct redemptions by telephone
If you authorized the telephone redemption option in the account application, you may place a redemption order by calling the transfer agent at 1-800-407-0256 and requesting that the redemption proceeds be wired per the authorized instructions in the account application or mailed to the primary registration address. Your redemption order will be processed at the net asset value per share of the fund next determined after receipt of your telephone redemption order by the transfer agent. Please note that the transfer agent may only act on telephone instructions believed by the transfer agent to be genuine. The transfer agent’s records of such instructions are binding on the shareholder. The funds and their service providers (including the transfer agent, Schwab and CSIM) are not responsible for any losses or costs that may arise from following telephone instructions that the transfer agent reasonably believes to be genuine. The transfer agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine. These procedures include tape recording of telephone instructions and requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.
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Direct redemptions by mail
You may redeem your fund shares by mail by sending a request letter to the funds’ transfer agent at Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, PO Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323. Your redemption request will be processed by a fund at the net asset value per share of the fund next determined after the request is received in good order. To be in good order, the redemption request must include the name of the fund and the number of shares or the dollar amount to be redeemed, all required signatures and authorizations and any required signature guarantees.
Additional direct redemption information
To protect you, the funds and their service providers from fraud, signature guarantees may be required to enable the transfer agent to verify the identity of the person who has authorized a redemption from an account. Signature guarantees are required for (1) redemptions where the proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s) at the registered address, (2) redemptions if your account address has changed within the last 10 business days, (3) share transfer requests, and (4) redemptions where the proceeds are wired in connection with bank instructions not already on file with the transfer agent. Signature guarantees may be obtained from certain eligible financial institutions, including, but not limited to, the following: U.S. banks, trust companies, credit unions, securities brokers and dealers, savings and loan associations and participants in the Securities and Transfer Association Medallion Program (STAMP), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP) or the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP). Signature guarantees from non-U.S. banks that do not include a stamp may require a U.S. consulate stamp. You may contact the transfer agent at 1-800-407-0256 for further details.
Direct exchange privileges
Upon request, and subject to certain limitations, shares of the funds may be exchanged into shares of any other Schwab Fund that is not a Sweep Investment or Laudus MarketMasters Fund. To exchange your shares to another fund, you must meet the minimum investment and other requirements for the fund and share class into which you are exchanging. Further, you should obtain and read the prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging prior to placing your order. A new account opened by exchange must be established with the same name(s), address(es) and tax identification number(s) as the existing account. All exchanges will be made based on the respective net asset values next determined following receipt of the request by the fund containing the information indicated below.
The funds reserve the right to suspend or terminate the privilege of exchanging shares of the funds by mail or by telephone at any time.
Direct exchanges by telephone
If you authorized the telephone redemption option in the account application, you may exchange fund shares by telephone by calling the funds’ transfer agent at 1-800-407-0256. Please be prepared to provide the following information: (a) the account number, tax identification number and account registration; (b) the class of shares to be exchanged (if applicable); (c) the name of the fund from which and the fund into which the exchange is to be made; and (d) the dollar or share amount to be exchanged. Please note that the transfer agent may act only on telephone instructions believed by the transfer agent to be genuine. Please see the section entitled “Direct redemptions by telephone” for more information regarding transacting with the funds’ transfer agent via telephone.
Direct exchanges by mail
To exchange fund shares by mail, simply send a letter of instruction to the funds’ transfer agent at Boston Financial Data Services, Attn: Schwab Funds, PO Box 8283, Boston, MA 02266-8323. The letter of instruction must include: (a) your account number; (b) the class of shares to be exchanged (if applicable); (c) the fund from and the fund into which the exchange is to be made; (d) the dollar or share amount to be exchanged; and (e) the signatures of all registered owners or authorized parties.
Share price
The funds are open for business each day that the NYSE is open. Each fund calculates its share price each business day as of the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the funds reserve the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate their share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day. A fund’s share price is its net asset value per share, or NAV, which is the fund’s net assets divided by the number of its shares outstanding. Orders to buy, sell or exchange shares that are received by a fund in good order on or prior to the close of the fund (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will be executed at the next share price calculated that day.
If you place an order through your Schwab account or an account at another intermediary, please consult with your intermediary to determine when your order will be executed. Generally, you will receive the share price next calculated after the fund receives your order from your intermediary. However, some intermediaries, such as Schwab, may arrange with the fund for you to receive the share price next calculated after your intermediary has received your order. Some intermediaries may require that they receive orders prior to a specified cut-off time.
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In valuing its securities, a fund uses market quotes or official closing prices if they are readily available. In cases where quotes are not readily available or the investment adviser deems them unreliable, a fund may value securities based on fair values developed using methods approved by the fund’s Board of Trustees.
Shareholders of the Schwab International Index Fund should be aware that because foreign markets are often open on weekends and other days when the fund is closed, the value of the fund’s portfolio may change on days when it is not possible to buy or sell shares of the fund.
Additional policies affecting your investment
Minimum initial investment
$100
The minimum may be waived for certain retirement plans and plan participants, and for certain investment programs, or in a fund’s sole discretion.
Choose an option for fund distributions. If you are an Eligible Investor placing direct orders with a fund, you will have one of the three options described below for fund distributions. If you don’t indicate a choice, you will receive the first option. If you are placing orders through an intermediary, you will select from the options for fund distributions provided by your intermediary, which may be different than those provided by the funds to Eligible Investors. You should consult with your financial intermediary to discuss available options.
Option Feature
Reinvestment All dividends and capital gain distributions are invested automatically in shares of the fund.
Cash/reinvestment mix You receive payment for dividends, while any capital gain distributions are invested in shares of the fund.
Cash You receive payment for all dividends and capital gain distributions.
Each fund reserves certain rights, including the following:
•To materially modify or terminate the exchange privilege upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.
•To change or waive a fund’s investment minimums.
•To suspend the right to sell shares back to the fund, and delay sending proceeds, during times when trading on the NYSE is restricted or halted, or otherwise as permitted by the SEC.
•To withdraw or suspend any part of the offering made by this prospectus.
Payments by the investment adviser or its affiliates
The investment adviser or its affiliates may make cash payments out of their own resources, or provide products and services at a discount, to certain brokerage firms, banks, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries that perform shareholder, recordkeeping, sub-accounting and other administrative services in connection with investments in fund shares. These payments or discounts are separate from, and may be in addition to, any shareholder service fees or other administrative fees the funds may pay to those intermediaries. The investment adviser or its affiliates may also make cash payments out of their own resources, or provide products and services at a discount, to certain financial intermediaries that perform distribution, marketing, promotional or other distribution-related services. The payments or discounts described by this paragraph may be substantial; however, distribution-related services provided by such intermediaries are paid by the investment adviser or its affiliates, not by the funds or their shareholders.
Shareholder servicing plan
The Board of Trustees has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan (the Plan) on behalf of the funds. The Plan enables each fund to bear expenses relating to the provision by financial intermediaries, including Schwab (together, service providers), of certain account maintenance, customer liaison and shareholder services to the current shareholders of the funds.
Pursuant to the Plan, each fund’s shares are subject to an annual shareholder servicing fee up to the amount set forth in the table below. The shareholder servicing fee paid to a particular service provider is made pursuant to its written agreement with Schwab, as distributor of the funds (or, in the case of payments made to Schwab acting as a service provider, pursuant to Schwab’s written agreement with the funds), and a fund will pay no more than the amount set forth in the table below of the average annual daily net asset value of the fund shares owned by shareholders holding shares through such service provider. Payments under the Plan are made as described above without
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regard to whether the fee is more or less than the service provider’s actual cost of providing the services, and if more, such excess may be retained as profit by the service provider.
Fund Shareholder Servicing Fee
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund 0.02%
Schwab 1000 Index Fund 0.10%
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund 0.02%
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund 0.02%
Schwab International Index Fund 0.02%
Policy regarding short-term or excessive trading
The funds are intended for long-term investment and not for short-term or excessive trading (collectively market timing). Market timing may adversely impact the funds’ performance by disrupting the efficient management of the funds, increasing fund transaction costs and taxes, causing the funds to maintain higher cash balances, and diluting the value of the funds’ shares.
In order to discourage market timing, the funds’ Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to reduce the risk of market timing by fund shareholders. Each fund seeks to deter market timing through several methods. These methods may include: fair value pricing, imposition of redemption fees and trade activity monitoring. Fair value pricing and redemption fees are discussed more thoroughly in the subsequent pages of this prospectus and are considered to be key elements of the funds’ policy regarding short term or excessive trading. Trade activity monitoring is risk based and seeks to identify patterns of activity in amounts that might be detrimental to the funds.
Although these methods are designed to discourage market timing, there can be no guarantee that the funds will be able to identify and restrict investors that engage in such activities. In addition, some of these methods are inherently subjective and involve judgment in their application. Each fund and its service providers seek to make these judgments and applications uniformly and in a manner that they believe is consistent with interests of the fund’s long-term shareholders. The funds may amend these policies and procedures in response to changing regulatory requirements or to enhance the effectiveness of the program.
The funds and their service providers maintain risk-based surveillance procedures designed to detect market timing in fund shares in amounts that might be detrimental to the fund. Under these procedures, the funds have requested that service providers to the funds monitor transactional activity in amounts and frequency determined by each fund to be significant to the fund and in a pattern of activity that potentially could be detrimental to the fund. If a fund, in its sole discretion based on these or other factors, determines that a shareholder has engaged in market timing, it may refuse to process future purchases or exchanges into the fund by that shareholder. These procedures may be modified from time to time as appropriate to improve the detection of market timing and to comply with applicable laws.
If trades are effected through a financial intermediary, each fund or its service providers will work with the intermediary to monitor possible market timing activity. The funds reserve the right to contact the intermediary to provide certain shareholder transaction information and may require the intermediary to restrict the shareholder from future purchases or exchanges in the funds. Transactions by fund shareholders investing through intermediaries may also be subject to the restrictions of the intermediary’s own frequent trading policies, which may differ from those of the funds. Each fund may defer to an intermediary’s frequent trading policies with respect to those shareholders who invest in the fund through such intermediary. Each fund will defer to an intermediary’s policies only after the fund determines that the intermediary’s frequent trading policies are reasonably designed to deter transactional activity in amounts and frequency that are deemed to be significant to the fund and in a pattern of activity that potentially could be detrimental to the fund. Shareholders should consult with their intermediary to determine if additional frequent trading restrictions apply to their fund transactions.
The funds reserve the right to restrict, reject or cancel within a reasonable time, without prior notice, any purchase or exchange order for any reason.
Fair value pricing
The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures to fair value the funds’ securities when market prices are not “readily available” or are unreliable. For example, a fund may fair value a security when a security is de-listed or its trading is halted or suspended; when a security’s primary pricing source is unable or unwilling to provide a price; when a security’s primary trading market is closed during regular market hours; or when a security’s value is materially affected by events occurring after the close of the security’s primary trading market.
By fair valuing securities whose prices may have been affected by events occurring after the close of trading, the funds seek to establish prices that investors might expect to realize upon the current sales of these securities. This methodology is designed to deter “arbitrage” market timers, who seek to exploit delays between the change in the value of a fund’s portfolio holdings and the net asset value of the
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fund’s shares, and seeks to help ensure that the prices at which the fund’s shares are purchased and redeemed are fair and do not result in dilution of shareholder interest or other harm to shareholders.
Each fund makes fair value determinations in good faith in accordance with the fund’s valuation procedures. Due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, there can be no assurance that a fund could obtain the fair value assigned to the security upon the sale of such security.
Redemption fee
Shares redeemed or exchanged within 30 days of purchase, which shall be calculated to include the 30th day, will be subject to a fee of 2%, which is intended to limit short-term trading in the funds, or to the extent that short-term trading persists, to impose the costs of that type of activity on the shareholders who engage in it. Each fund treats shares that have been held the longest as being redeemed first. Each fund retains the redemption fees for the benefit of the remaining shareholders. Fund shares purchased with reinvested dividends are not subject to redemption fees. Each fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive such fee when, in its judgment, such waiver would be in the best interests of the fund and its long-term shareholders. A fund may waive the redemption fee for retirement plans, wrap or fee-based programs, charitable giving funds, unregistered separate accounts, redemptions pursuant to rebalancing programs or systematic withdrawal plans established by the fund or financial intermediaries, and registered investment companies and redemptions initiated by the fund. In addition, certain financial intermediaries may use criteria and methods for tracking, applying and calculating the fees that are different from a fund’s but which the fund, in its discretion, may determine are in the best interests of the fund and its long-term shareholders. While the funds discourage mutual fund market timing and maintain procedures designed to provide reasonable assurances that such activity will be identified and terminated, including the imposition of the redemption fee described above, no policy or procedure can guarantee that all such activity will in fact be identified or that such activity can be completely eliminated. The funds reserve the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time.
Large shareholder redemptions
Certain accounts or Schwab affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of a fund’s shares. Redemptions by these shareholders of their holdings in a fund may impact each fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force a fund to sell securities, which may negatively impact a fund’s brokerage costs.
Customer identification and verification and anti-money laundering program
Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open your account, you will have to provide your name, address, date of birth, identification number and other information that will allow the fund or your financial intermediary to identify you. This information is subject to verification to ensure the identity of all persons opening an account.
Each fund or your financial intermediary is required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. The fund or your financial intermediary may contact you in an attempt to collect any missing information required on the application, and your application may be rejected if they are unable to obtain this information. In certain instances, the fund or your financial intermediary is required to collect documents that will be used solely to establish and verify your identity.
Each fund will accept investments and your order will be processed at the NAV next determined after receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application). Each fund, however, reserves the right to close and/or liquidate your account at the then-current day’s price if the fund or your financial intermediary is unable to verify your identity. As a result, you may be subject to a gain or loss on fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax consequences.
Customer identification and verification is part of each fund’s overall obligation to deter money laundering under Federal Law. Each fund has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program designed to prevent the fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order; (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services; or (iii) involuntarily close your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the fund or in cases when the fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. If your account is closed at the request of governmental or law enforcement authority, you may not receive proceeds of the redemption if the fund is required to withhold such proceeds.
Distributions and taxes
Any investment in a fund typically involves several tax considerations. The information below is meant as a general summary for U.S. citizens and residents. Please see the funds’ SAI for additional information. Because each person’s tax situation is different, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax implications of your investment in a fund. You also can visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website at www.irs.gov.
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As a shareholder, you are entitled to your share of the dividends and gains a fund earns. Every year, each fund distributes to its shareholders substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains, if any. These distributions typically are paid in December to all shareholders of record. During the fourth quarter of the year, typically in early November, an estimate of each fund’s capital gain distribution, if any, may be made available on the funds’ website: www.csimfunds.com.
Unless you are investing through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged retirement account, your fund distributions generally have tax consequences. Each fund’s net investment income and short-term capital gains are distributed as dividends and will be taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Other capital gain distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your shares in a fund. The maximum individual rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” and long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Distributions generally are taxable in the tax year in which they are declared, whether you reinvest them or take them in cash.
Generally, any sale or exchange of your shares is a taxable event. For tax purposes, an exchange of your shares for shares of another Schwab Fund or Laudus MarketMasters Fund is treated the same as a sale. A sale may result in a capital gain or loss for you. The gain or loss generally will be treated as short term if you held the shares for one year or less, long term if you held the shares longer. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by you with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be disallowed if you purchase other substantially identical shares within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.
Shareholders in a fund which invests in non-U.S. securities may have additional tax considerations as a result of foreign tax payments made by the fund. Typically, these payments will reduce the fund’s dividends but if eligible, the fund may elect for these payments to be included in your taxable income. In such event, you may be able to claim a tax credit or deduction for your portion of foreign taxes paid by the fund.
At the beginning of every year, the funds provide shareholders with information detailing the tax status of any distributions a fund paid during the previous calendar year. Schwab customers also receive information on distributions and transactions in their monthly account statements.
Prior to January 1, 2012, when shareholders sold fund shares from a taxable account, they typically received information on their tax forms that calculated their gain or loss using the average cost method. This information was not previously reported to the IRS, and shareholders had the option of calculating gains or losses using an alternative IRS permitted method. However, in accordance with legislation passed by Congress in 2008, each fund began reporting cost basis information to the IRS for shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012 and sold thereafter. Shareholders can elect their preferred cost basis method, however, in the absence of an election, a fund will use an average cost basis method. Please consult your tax adviser to determine the appropriate cost basis method for your particular tax situation and to learn more about how the new cost basis reporting laws apply to you and your investments, including investments made prior to January 1, 2012 and sold thereafter.
A fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax on all taxable distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders if the shareholders fail to provide the funds with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if they have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against U.S. federal income tax liability.
Foreign shareholders may be subject to different U.S. federal income tax treatment, including withholding tax at the rate of 30% (unless a lower treaty rate applies) on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the funds, as discussed in more detail in the SAI. Furthermore, the funds are required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2019) redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the funds to enable the funds to determine whether withholding is required.
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To learn more
This prospectus contains important information on the funds and should be read and kept for reference. You also can obtain more information from the following sources:
Annual and semi-annual reports, which are mailed to current fund investors, contain more information about the funds’ holdings and detailed financial information about the funds. Annual reports also contain information from the funds’ manager(s), about strategies, recent market conditions and trends and their impact on fund performance.
The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes a more detailed discussion of investment policies and the risks associated with various investments. The SAI is incorporated by reference into the prospectus, making it legally part of the prospectus.
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other information or ask questions about the funds, call Schwab Funds ® at 1-800-435-4000. In addition, you may visit Schwab Funds’ website at www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus for a free copy of a prospectus, SAI or an annual or semi-annual report.
The SAI, the funds’ annual and semi-annual reports and other related materials are available from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You can obtain copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by sending a request by e-mail to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. You can also review and copy information about the funds, including the funds’ SAI, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-551-8090 for information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room.
SEC File Numbers
Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund 811-7704
Schwab 1000 Index ® Fund 811-6200
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund ® 811-7704
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund ® 811-7704
Schwab International Index Fund ® 811-7704
REG13644-24
Schwab Equity Index Funds ®
Prospectus
February 25, 2016


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Statement Of Additional Information
SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST
SCHWAB INVESTMENTS
Schwab ® S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)
Schwab 1000 Index ® Fund (SNXFX)
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund ® (SWSSX)
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund ® (SWTSX)
Schwab International Index Fund ® (SWISX)
February 25, 2016
The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the funds’ prospectus dated February 25, 2016 (as amended from time to time).
The funds’ audited financial statements and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon from the funds’ annual report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, are incorporated by reference into this SAI.
For a free copy of these documents or to request other information or ask questions about the funds, call Schwab Funds ® at 1-800-435-4000. For TDD service call 1-800-345-2550. In addition, you may visit Schwab Funds’ website at http://www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus for a free copy of a prospectus, SAI or an annual or semi-annual report.
Each fund, except for the Schwab 1000 Index Fund, is a series of Schwab Capital Trust, and the Schwab 1000 Index Fund is a series of Schwab Investments (each, a trust, and collectively, the trusts). The funds are part of the Schwab complex of funds (Schwab Funds).
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund seeks to track the total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500 ® Index).
The Schwab 1000 Index Fund seeks to match the total return of the Schwab 1000 Index ® , an index created to represent performance of publicly traded equity securities of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies.
The Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures total return of small capitalization U.S. stocks.
The Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund seeks to track the total return of the entire U.S. stock market, as measured by the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index SM .
The Schwab International Index Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the total return of large, publicly traded non-U.S. companies from countries with developed equity markets outside of the United States.
Change of Investment Objective
The investment objective for each fund may be changed only by vote of a majority of its outstanding voting shares. A majority of the outstanding voting shares of a fund means the affirmative vote of the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of the voting shares represented at the meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the fund are represented at the meeting or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of a fund. There is no guarantee a fund will achieve its investment objective.
Change to Investment Policy of Certain Funds
The Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities included in the S&P 500 Index. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy. For purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes.
The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (SPDJI), and has been licensed for use by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM). Standard & Poor’s ® , S&P ® and S&P 500 ® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (S&P); Dow Jones ® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by CSIM.
The S&P 500 Index is, generally, representative of the performance of the U.S. stock market. The index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. It is a market value weighted index (stock price times number of shares outstanding), with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. The S&P 500 Index does not contain the 500 largest stocks, as measured by market capitalization. Although many of the stocks in the index are among the largest, it also includes some relatively small companies. Those companies, however, generally are established companies within their industry group. S&P identifies important industry groups within the U.S. economy and then allocates a representative sample of stocks with each group to the S&P 500 Index. There are four major industry sectors within the index: industrials, utilities, financials and transportation. The fund may purchase securities of companies with which it is affiliated to the extent these companies are represented in its index.
The Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the shareholders of the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the funds particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s only relationship to the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500 Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to the fund. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund or its shareholders into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P is
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not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of shares in the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the fund’s shares are to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the fund’s shares.
S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein, and S&P shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. S&P makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund, its shareholders or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 Index or any data therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The Schwab 1000 Index Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities included in the Schwab 1000 Index. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy. For purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes.
To be included in the Schwab 1000 Index, a company must satisfy all of the following criteria: (1) it must be an “operating company” (i.e., not an investment company) or real estate investment trust incorporated in the United States, its territories or possessions; (2) a liquid market for its common shares must exist on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ/NMS; and (3) its market value must place it among the top 1,000 such companies as measured by market capitalization (share price times the number of shares outstanding). The fund may purchase securities of companies with which it is affiliated to the extent these companies are represented in its index.
As of December 31, 2015, the aggregate market capitalization of the stocks included in the Schwab 1000 Index was approximately $22.4 trillion. This represents approximately 91% of the total market value of all publicly-traded U.S. companies, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index.
The Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities included in the Russell 2000 ® Index. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy. For purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes.
The Russell 2000 Index is an established index that measures the performance of the small-cap sector of the U.S. equity market. The Russell 2000 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000 ® Index, representing approximately the 2,000 smallest issuers and, as of December 31, 2015, approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. The fund may purchase securities of companies with which it is affiliated to the extent these companies are represented in its index.
CSIM, the fund’s investment adviser, has entered into an agreement with Russell Investment Group (Russell), pursuant to which, CSIM has been granted a license to certain of the Russell indexes and the Russell trademarks, which has in turn been sublicensed to the fund. Under the sublicensing agreement between CSIM and the fund, the fund pays all applicable licensing fees.
The Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund is not promoted, sponsored or endorsed by, nor in any way affiliated with Russell. Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund nor any associated literature or publications and Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy, or completeness, or otherwise.
Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell indexes. Russell has no obligation to take the needs of any particular fund or its participants or any other product or person into consideration in determining, composing or calculating any of the Russell indexes.
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Russell’s publication of the Russell indexes in no way suggests or implies an opinion by Russell as to the attractiveness or appropriateness of investment in any or all securities upon which the Russell indexes are based. Russell makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or otherwise of the Russell indexes or any data included in the Russell indexes. Russell makes no representation, warranty or guarantee regarding the use, or the results of use, of the Russell indexes or any data included therein, or any security (or combination thereof) comprising the Russell indexes. Russell makes no other express or implied warranty, and expressly disclaims any warranty, of any kind, including without limitation, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Russell index(es) or any data or any security (or combination thereof) included therein.
The Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities included in the benchmark index. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy. For purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes.
The Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index includes all publicly traded stocks of companies headquartered in the United States for which pricing information is readily available 3,960 stocks, as of December 31, 2015. The index is a float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that reflects the shares of securities actually available to investors in the marketplace. The fund may purchase securities of companies with which it is affiliated to the extent these companies are represented in its index.
Index ownership “Standard & Poor’s ® ” and “S&P ® ” are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, and “Dow Jones ® ” is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones) and have been licensed for use by S& P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates and sublicensed for certain purposes by CSIM. The “Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index SM ” is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates, and has been licensed for use by CSIM. The Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, or their respective affiliates, and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, nor their respective affiliates make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the fund.
S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P and their affiliates (collectively, S&PDJI) makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund particularly or the ability of the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index (the Index) to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to CSIM with respect to the Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its licensors. The Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to CSIM or the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund. S&PDJI have no obligation to take the needs of CSIM or the owners of the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. S&PDJI are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund is to be converted into cash, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be. S&PDJI have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund. There is no assurance that investment products based on the Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S& P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by S&PDJI to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
S&PDJI do not guarantee the adequacy, accuracy, timeliness and/or the completeness of the Index or any data related thereto or any communication, including, but not limited to, oral or written communication (including electronic communications) with respect thereto. S&PDJI shall not be subject to any damages or liability for any errors, omissions or delays therein. S&PDJI make no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaim all warranties, of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use or as to the results to be obtained by CSIM, owners of the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Index or any data related
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thereto. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event whatsoever shall S&PDJI be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages including, but not limited to, loss of profits, trading losses, lost time or goodwill, even if they have been advise of the possibility of such damages, whether in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements or arrangements between S&P Dow Jones Indices, its affiliates and CSIM, other than to the licensors of S&PDJI.
Because it would be too expensive to buy all of the stocks included in the index, CSIM may use statistical sampling techniques in an attempt to replicate the total return of the U.S. stock market using a smaller number of securities. These techniques use a smaller number of index securities than that included in the index, which, when taken together, are expected to perform similarly to the index. These techniques are based on a variety of factors, including capitalization, dividend yield, price/earnings ratio, and industry factors.
The Schwab International Index Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities included in the MSCI EAFE ® Index. The fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days before changing this policy. For purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes.
The MSCI EAFE Index is an industry-recognized index composed of MSCI country indices representing developed markets outside of North America Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. The MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the US and Canada. As of December 31, 2015, the MSCI EAFE Index consisted of the following 21 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The fund may purchase securities of companies with which it is affiliated to the extent these companies are represented in its index.
The Schwab International Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc. (MSCI), any of its affiliates, any of its information providers or any other third party involved in, or related to, compiling, computing or creating any MSCI index (collectively, the MSCI Parties). The MSCI indexes are the exclusive property of MSCI. MSCI and the MSCI index names are service mark(s) of MSCI or its affiliates and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by CSIM which has in turn been sublicensed to the fund. Under the sublicensing agreement between CSIM and the fund, the fund pays all applicable licensing fees.
None of the MSCI Parties makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the issuer or owners of the fund or any other person or entity regarding the advisability of investing in funds generally or in the fund particularly or the ability of any MSCI index to track corresponding stock market performance. MSCI or its affiliates are the licensors of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names and of the MSCI indexes which are determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to the fund or the issuer or owners of the fund or any other person or entity. None of the MSCI Parties has any obligation to take the needs of the issuer or owners of the fund or any other person or entity into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MSCI indexes. None of the MSCI Parties is responsible for or has participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by or the consideration into which the fund is redeemable. Further, none of the MSCI Parties has any obligation or liability to the issuer or owners of the fund or any other person or entity in connection with the administration, marketing or offering of the fund.
Although MSCI shall obtain information for inclusion in or for use in the calculation of the MSCI indexes from sources that MSCI considers reliable, none of the MSCI Parties warrants or guarantees the originality, accuracy and/or the completeness of any MSCI index or any data included therein. None of the MSCI Parties makes any warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the issuer of the fund, owners of the fund, or any other person or entity, from the use of any MSCI index or any data included therein. None of the MSCI Parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of or in connection with any MSCI index or any data included therein. Further, none of the MSCI Parties makes any express or implied warranties of any kind, and the MSCI Parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to each MSCI index and any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any of the MSCI Parties
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have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Description of Schwab Index. The Schwab 1000 Index was developed and is maintained by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab or the funds’ distributor). Schwab receives no compensation from the fund for maintaining the index. Schwab reviews and, as necessary, revises the list of companies whose securities are included in the index, usually annually. Companies known by Schwab to meet or no longer meet the inclusion criteria may be added or deleted as appropriate. Schwab also will modify the index as necessary to account for corporate actions (e.g., new issues, repurchases, stock dividends/splits, tenders, mergers, stock swaps, spinoffs or bankruptcy filings made because of a company’s inability to continue operating as a going concern).
Schwab may change the Schwab 1000 Index inclusion criteria if it determines that doing so would cause the index to be more representative of the domestic equity market. The Board of Trustees (Board) may select another index for the Schwab 1000 Index Fund, subject to shareholder approval, should it decides that taking such action would be in the best interest of the fund’s shareholders.
A particular stock’s weighting in the Schwab 1000 Index is based on its relative total market value (i.e., its market price per share times the number of shares outstanding), divided by the total market capitalization of the index.
Investment Strategies, Securities And RISKS
The different types of investments that the funds typically may invest in, the investment techniques they may use and the risks normally associated with these investments are discussed below. The following investment strategies, risks and limitations supplement those set forth in the prospectus and may be changed without shareholder approval, unless otherwise noted. Also, policies and limitations that state a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in a security or other asset, or that set forth a quality standard, shall be measured immediately after and as a result of a fund’s acquisition of such security or asset unless otherwise noted. Thus, any subsequent change in values, net assets or other circumstances does not require a fund to sell an investment if it could not then make the same investment. Not all investment securities or techniques discussed below are eligible investments for each fund.
Borrowing. A fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes; for example, a fund may borrow at times to meet redemption requests rather than sell portfolio securities to raise the necessary cash. A fund’s borrowings will be subject to interest costs. Borrowing can also involve leveraging when securities are purchased with the borrowed money. Leveraging creates interest expenses that can exceed the income from the assets purchased with the borrowed money. In addition, leveraging may magnify changes in the net asset value of a fund’s shares and in its portfolio yield. A fund will earmark or segregate assets to cover such borrowings in accordance with positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If assets used to secure a borrowing decrease in value, a fund may be required to pledge additional collateral to avoid liquidation of those assets.
A fund may establish lines-of-credit (lines) with certain banks by which it may borrow funds for temporary or emergency purposes. A borrowing is presumed to be for temporary or emergency purposes if it is repaid by a fund within 60 days and is not extended or renewed. Each fund may use the lines to meet large or unexpected redemptions that would otherwise force a fund to liquidate securities under circumstances which are unfavorable to a fund’s remaining shareholders. Each fund will pay fees to the banks for using its lines.
Concentration means that substantial amounts of assets are invested in a particular industry or group of industries. Concentration increases investment exposure to industry risk. For example, the automobile industry may have a greater exposure to a single factor, such as an increase in the price of oil, which may adversely affect the sale of automobiles and, as a result, the value of the industry’s securities. Each of the funds will not concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries, unless the index it is designed to track is so concentrated.
Debt Securities are obligations issued by domestic and foreign entities, including governments and corporations, in order to raise money. They are basically “IOUs,” but are commonly referred to as bonds or money market securities. These securities normally require the issuer to pay a fixed-, variable- or floating-rate of interest on the amount of money borrowed (the principal) until it is paid back upon maturity.
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Debt securities experience price changes when interest rates change. For example, when interest rates fall, the prices of debt securities generally rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the prices of debt securities generally fall. Certain debt securities have call features that allow issuers to redeem their outstanding debts prior to final maturity. Depending on the call feature, an issuer may pre-pay its outstanding debts and issue new ones paying lower interest rates. This is especially true for bonds with sinking fund provisions, which commit the issuer to set aside a certain amount of money to cover timely repayment of principal and typically allow the issuer to annually repurchase certain of its outstanding bonds from the open market or at a pre-set call price. Prepayments are more likely to occur in a falling interest rate environment. In a rising interest rate environment, prepayment on outstanding debt securities is less likely to occur. This is known as extension risk and may cause the value of debt securities to depreciate as a result of the higher market interest rates. Typically, longer-maturity securities react to interest rate changes more severely than shorter-term securities (all things being equal), but generally offer greater rates of interest. If an issuer redeems the debt securities prior to final maturity, a fund may have to replace these securities with lower yielding securities, which could result in a lower return.
A change in the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy (or that of other central banks) or improving economic conditions, among other things, may lead to an increase in interest rates, which could significantly impact the value of debt securities in which a fund invests. Some debt securities, such as bonds with longer durations, are more sensitive to interest rate changes than others and may experience an immediate and considerable reduction in value if interest rates rise. Longer duration securities tend to be more volatile than shorter duration securities. As the values of debt securities in a fund’s portfolio adjust to a rise in interest rates, a fund’s share price may fall. In the event that a fund holds a large portion of its portfolio in longer duration securities when interest rates increase, the share price of the fund may fall significantly.
Debt securities also are subject to the risk that the issuers will not make timely interest and/or principal payments or fail to make them at all. This is called credit risk. Corporate debt securities (bonds) tend to have higher credit risk generally than U.S. government debt securities. Debt securities also may be subject to price volatility due to market perception of future interest rates, the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (market risk). Investment-grade debt securities are considered medium- and/or high-quality securities, although some still possess varying degrees of speculative characteristics and risks. Debt securities rated below investment-grade are riskier, but may offer higher yields. These securities are sometimes referred to as high yield securities or “junk bonds.”
Corporate bonds are debt securities issued by corporations. Although a higher return is expected from corporate bonds, these securities, while subject to the same general risks as U.S. government securities, are subject to greater credit risk than U.S. government securities. Their prices may be affected by the perceived credit quality of their issuer.
Depositary Receipts include American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other “hybrid” forms of ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), and are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer’s home country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may subject a fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments; withholding taxes on income, or possible imposition of withholding taxes on income; possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits; possible establishment of exchange controls; or taxation at the source or greater fluctuation in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are, generally speaking, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting treatment than are those in the United States. Please see the section titled “Foreign Securities” for more detail.
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Although the two types of depositary receipt facilities (unsponsored or sponsored) are similar, there are differences regarding a holder’s rights and obligations and the practices of market participants. A depository may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or acquiescence of) the underlying issuer; typically, however, the depository requests a letter of non-objection from the underlying issuer prior to establishing the facility. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the facility. The depository usually charges fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the underlying securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars or other currency, the disposition of non-cash distributions, and the performance of other services. The depository of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer or to pass through voting rights to depositary receipt holders with respect to the underlying securities.
Sponsored depositary receipt facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depository and the underlying issuer through a deposit agreement. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the underlying issuer, the depository, and the depositary receipt holders. With sponsored facilities, the underlying issuer typically bears some of the costs of the depositary receipts (such as dividend payment fees of the depository), although most sponsored depositary receipts holders may bear costs such as deposit and withdrawal fees. Depositories of most sponsored depositary receipts agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings, voting instructions, and other shareholder communications and information to the depositary receipt holders at the underlying issuer’s request.
Derivative Instruments are commonly defined to include securities or contracts whose values depend on (or “derive” from) the value of one or more other assets such as securities, currencies, or commodities. These “other assets” are commonly referred to as “underlying assets.” The funds may use derivatives, principally futures contracts, primarily to seek returns on a fund’s otherwise uninvested cash assets.
A derivative instrument generally consists of, is based upon, or exhibits characteristics similar to options or forward contracts. Options and forward contracts are considered to be the basic “building blocks” of derivatives. For example, forward-based derivatives include forward contracts, as well as exchange-traded futures. Option-based derivatives include privately negotiated, over-the-counter (OTC) options (including caps, floors, collars, and options on forward and swap contracts) and exchange-traded options on futures. Diverse types of derivatives may be created by combining options or forward contracts in different ways, and applying these structures to a wide range of underlying assets.
Risk management strategies include investment techniques designed to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities, manage the average duration of the portfolio or create or alter exposure to certain asset classes, such as equity, other debt or foreign securities.
In addition to the derivative instruments and strategies described in this SAI, the investment adviser expects to discover additional derivative instruments and other investment, hedging or risk management techniques. The investment adviser may utilize these new derivative instruments and techniques to the extent that they are consistent with a fund’s investment objective and permitted by a fund’s investment limitations, operating policies, and applicable regulatory authorities.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulates the trading of commodity interests, including certain futures contracts, options, and swaps in which a fund may invest. A fund that invests in commodity interests is subject to certain CFTC regulatory requirements, including certain limits on its trades in futures contracts, options and swaps to qualify for certain exclusions or exemptions from registration requirements. The trusts, on behalf of each fund, have filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (CEA), with respect to each fund’s operation. Therefore, each fund and its investment adviser are not subject to regulation as a commodity pool or CPO under the CEA and the investment adviser is not subject to registration as a CPO. If a fund were no longer able to claim the exclusion, the fund’s investment adviser may be required to register as a CPO and the fund and its investment adviser would be subject to regulation as a commodity pool or CPO under the CEA. If a fund or its investment adviser is subject to CFTC regulation, it may incur additional expenses.
Futures Contracts are instruments that represent an agreement between two parties that obligates one party to buy, and the other party to sell, specific instruments at an agreed-upon price on a stipulated future date. In the case of futures
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contracts relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the close of the transaction, the parties usually agree to deliver the final cash settlement price of the contract. A fund may purchase and sell futures contracts based on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies, interest rates, or any other futures contracts traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that the CFTC licenses and regulates on foreign exchanges. Although positions are usually marked to market on a daily basis with an intermediary (executing broker), there remains a credit risk with the futures exchange.
A fund must maintain a small portion of its assets in cash to process shareholder transactions and to pay its expenses. To reduce the effect this otherwise uninvested cash would have on its performance, a fund may purchase futures contracts. Such transactions allow a fund’s cash balance to produce a return similar to that of the underlying security or index on which the futures contract is based. Also, a fund may purchase or sell futures contracts on a specified foreign currency to “fix” the price in U.S. dollars of the foreign security it has acquired or sold or expects to acquire or sell. A fund may enter into futures contracts for other reasons as well.
When buying or selling futures contracts, a fund must place a deposit with its broker equal to a fraction of the contract amount. This amount is known as “initial margin” and must be in the form of liquid debt instruments, including cash, cash-equivalents and U.S. government securities. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, known as “variation margin” may be made daily, if necessary, as the value of the futures contracts fluctuate. This process is known as “marking-to-market.” The margin amount will be returned to a fund upon termination of the futures contracts assuming all contractual obligations are satisfied. Because margin requirements are normally only a fraction of the amount of the futures contracts in a given transaction, futures trading can involve a great deal of leverage. In order to avoid this, a fund will earmark or segregate assets for any outstanding futures contracts as may be required under the federal securities laws.
While a fund may purchase and sell futures contracts in order to simulate full investment, there are risks associated with these transactions. Adverse market movements could cause a fund to experience substantial losses when buying and selling futures contracts. Of course, barring significant market distortions, similar results would have been expected if a fund had instead transacted in the underlying securities directly. There also is the risk of losing any margin payments held by a broker in the event of its bankruptcy. Additionally, a fund incurs transaction costs (e.g., brokerage fees) when engaging in futures trading. To the extent a fund also invests in futures in order to simulate full investment, these same risks apply.
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, a fund may seek, through the sale of futures contracts, to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities. When rates are falling or prices are rising, a fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, may attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when they effect anticipated purchases. Similarly, a fund may sell futures contracts on a specified currency to protect against a decline in the value of that currency and its portfolio securities that are denominated in that currency. A fund may purchase futures contracts on a foreign currency to fix the price in U.S. dollars of a security denominated in that currency that a fund has acquired or expects to acquire.
Futures contracts normally require actual delivery or acquisition of an underlying security or cash value of an index on the expiration date of the contract. In most cases, however, the contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the contract by buying or selling, as the case may be, identical futures contracts. Such offsetting transactions terminate the original contracts and cancel the obligation to take or make delivery of the underlying securities or cash. There may not always be a liquid secondary market at the time a fund seeks to close out a futures position. If a fund is unable to close out its position and prices move adversely, a fund would have to continue to make daily cash payments to maintain its margin requirements. If a fund had insufficient cash to meet these requirements it may have to sell portfolio securities at a disadvantageous time or incur extra costs by borrowing the cash. Also, a fund may be required to make or take delivery and incur extra transaction costs buying or selling the underlying securities. A fund seeks to reduce the risks associated with futures transactions by buying and selling futures contracts that are traded on national exchanges or for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
With respect to futures contracts that are not legally required to “cash settle,” a fund may cover the open position by setting aside or earmarking liquid assets in an amount equal to the market value of the futures contracts. With respect
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to futures contracts that are required to “cash settle,” however, a fund is permitted to set aside or earmark liquid assets in an amount equal to the fund’s daily marked to market (net) obligation, if any, (in other words, the fund’s daily net liability, if any) rather than the market value of the futures contracts. By setting aside assets or earmarking equal to only its net obligation under cash-settled futures, a fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the fund were required to set aside or earmark assets equal to the full market value of the futures contract.
Diversification involves investing in a wide range of securities and thereby spreading and reducing the risks of investment. Each fund is a series of an open-end investment management company. Each fund is a diversified mutual fund.
Emerging or Developing Markets exist in countries that are considered to be in the initial stages of industrialization. The risks of investing in these markets are similar to the risks of international investing in general, although the risks are greater in emerging and developing markets. Countries with emerging or developing securities markets tend to have economic structures that are less stable than countries with developed securities markets. This is because their economies may be based on only a few industries and their securities markets may trade a small number of securities. Prices on these exchanges tend to be volatile, and securities in these countries historically have offered greater potential for gain (as well as loss) than securities of companies located in developed countries.
A fund’s investments in emerging markets can be considered speculative, and therefore may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in developed markets of the world. With respect to an emerging country, there may be a greater potential for nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political changes, government regulation, social instability or diplomatic developments (including war) which could affect adversely the economies of such countries or investments in such countries. The economies of developing countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange or currency controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
In addition to the risks of investing in emerging market country debt securities, a fund’s investment in government or government-related securities of emerging market countries and restructured debt instruments in emerging markets are subject to special risks, including the inability or unwillingness to repay principal and interest, requests to reschedule or restructure outstanding debt, and requests to extend additional loan amounts. A fund may have limited recourse in the event of default on such debt instruments.
Equity Securities represent ownership interests in a company, and are commonly called “stocks.” Equity securities historically have outperformed most other securities, although their prices can fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition, market conditions and political, economic or even company-specific news. When a stock’s price declines, its market value is lowered even though the intrinsic value of the company may not have changed. Sometimes factors, such as economic conditions or political events, affect the value of stocks of companies of the same or similar industry or group of industries, and may affect the entire stock market.
Types of equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, rights and warrants, depositary receipts, and interests in real estate investment trusts and business development companies. (For more information on depositary receipts, see the section entitled “Depositary Receipts”).
Common stocks , which are probably the most recognized type of equity security, represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer and usually entitle the owner to voting rights in the election of the corporation’s directors and any other matters submitted to the corporation’s shareholders for voting, as well as to receive dividends on such stock. The market value of common stock can fluctuate widely, as it reflects increases and decreases in an issuer’s earnings. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of bond owners, other debt holders and owners of preferred stock take precedence over the claims of common stock owners. Common stocks are typically categorized by their market capitalization as large-, mid- or small-cap.
Small-cap stocks include common stocks issued by operating companies with market capitalizations that place them at the lower end of the stock market, as well as the stocks of companies that are determined to be small based on several factors, including the capitalization of the company and the amount of revenues. Historically, small-cap company
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stocks have been riskier than stocks issued by large- or mid-cap companies for a variety of reasons. Small-cap companies may have less certain growth prospects and are typically less diversified and less able to withstand changing economic conditions than larger capitalized companies. Small-cap companies also may have more limited product lines, markets or financial resources than companies with larger capitalizations, and may be more dependent on a relatively small management group. In addition, small-cap companies may not be well known to the investing public, may not have institutional ownership and may have only cyclical, static or moderate growth prospects. Most small-cap company stocks pay low or no dividends.
These factors and others may cause sharp changes in the value of a small-cap company’s stock, and even cause some small-cap companies to fail. Additionally, small-cap stocks may not be as broadly traded as large- or mid-cap stocks, and a fund’s positions in securities of such companies may be substantial in relation to the market for such securities. Accordingly, it may be difficult for a fund to dispose of securities of these small-cap companies at prevailing market prices in order to meet redemptions. This lower degree of liquidity can adversely affect the value of these securities. For these reasons and others, the value of a fund’s investments in small-cap stocks is expected to be more volatile than other types of investments, including other types of stock investments. While small-cap stocks are generally considered to offer greater growth opportunities for investors, they involve greater risks and the share price of a fund that invests in small-cap stocks may change sharply during the short term and long term.
Convertible securities are typically preferred stocks or bonds that are exchangeable for a specific number of another form of security (usually the issuer’s common stock) at a specified price or ratio. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on bonds or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. A corporation may issue a convertible security that is subject to redemption after a specified date, and usually under certain circumstances. A holder of a convertible security that is called for redemption would be required to tender it for redemption to the issuer, convert it to the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. The convertible structure allows the holder of the convertible bond to participate in share price movements in the company’s common stock. The actual return on a convertible bond may exceed its stated yield if the company’s common stock appreciates in value and the option to convert to common stocks becomes more valuable.
Convertible securities typically pay a lower interest rate than nonconvertible bonds of the same quality and maturity because of the conversion feature. Convertible securities are also rated below investment grade (high yield) or are not rated, and are subject to credit risk.
Prior to conversion, convertible securities have characteristics and risks similar to nonconvertible debt and equity securities. In addition, convertible securities are often concentrated in economic sectors, which, like the stock market in general, may experience unpredictable declines in value, as well as periods of poor performance, which may last for several years. There may be a small trading market for a particular convertible security at any given time, which may adversely impact market price and a fund’s ability to liquidate a particular security or respond to an economic event, including deterioration of an issuer’s creditworthiness.
Convertible preferred stocks are nonvoting equity securities that pay a fixed dividend. These securities have a conversion feature similar to convertible bonds, but do not have a maturity date. Due to their fixed income features, convertible securities provide higher income potential than the issuer’s common stock, but typically are more sensitive to interest rate changes than the underlying common stock. In the event of a company’s liquidation, bondholders have claims on company assets senior to those of shareholders; preferred shareholders have claims senior to those of common shareholders.
Convertible securities typically trade at prices above their conversion value, which is the current market value of the common stock received upon conversion, because of their higher yield potential than the underlying common stock. The difference between the conversion value and the price of a convertible security will vary depending on the value of the underlying common stock and interest rates. When the underlying value of the common stocks declines, the price of the issuer’s convertible securities will tend not to fall as much because the convertible security’s income potential will act as a price support. While the value of a convertible security also tends to rise when the underlying common stock value rises, it will not rise as much because its conversion value is more narrow. The value of
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convertible securities also is affected by changes in interest rates. For example, when interest rates fall, the value of convertible securities may rise because of their fixed income component.
Preferred stocks represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer but do not ordinarily carry voting rights, though they may carry limited voting rights. Preferred stocks normally have preference over the corporation’s assets and earnings, however. For example, preferred stocks have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends. Preferred stocks normally pay dividends at a specified rate. However, preferred stock may be purchased where the issuer has omitted, or is in danger of omitting, payment of its dividend. Such investments would be made primarily for their capital appreciation potential. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of bond owners take precedence over the claims of preferred and common stock owners. Certain classes of preferred stock are convertible into shares of common stock of the issuer. By holding convertible preferred stock, a fund can receive a steady stream of dividends and still have the option to convert the preferred stock to common stock. Preferred stock is subject to many of the same risks as common stock and debt securities.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are pooled investment vehicles, which invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests and, in some cases, manage real estate. REITs are sometimes referred to as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or hybrid REITs. An equity REIT invests primarily in properties and generates income from rental and lease properties and, in some cases, from the management of real estate. Equity REITs also offer the potential for growth as a result of property appreciation and from the sale of appreciated property. Mortgage REITs invest primarily in real estate mortgages, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans, and derive income for the collection of interest payments. Hybrid REITs may combine the features of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. REITs are generally organized as corporations or business trusts, but are not taxed as a corporation if they meet certain requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Internal Revenue Code). To qualify, a REIT must, among other things, invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including other REITs), cash and government securities, distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders and receive at least 75% of that income from rents, mortgages and sales of property.
Like any investment in real estate, a REIT’s performance depends on many factors, such as its ability to find tenants for its properties, to renew leases, and to finance property purchases and renovations. In general, REITs may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which may have an exaggerated effect to the extent a REIT concentrates its investment in certain regions or property types. For example, rental income could decline because of extended vacancies, increased competition from nearby properties, tenants’ failure to pay rent, or incompetent management. Property values could decrease because of overbuilding, environmental liabilities, uninsured damages caused by natural disasters, a general decline in the neighborhood, losses due to casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes, or changes in zoning laws. Ultimately, a REIT’s performance depends on the types of properties it owns and how well the REIT manages its properties. Additionally, declines in the market value of a REIT may reflect not only depressed real estate prices, but may also reflect the degree of leverage utilized by the REIT.
In general, during periods of rising interest rates, REITs may lose some of their appeal for investors who may be able to obtain higher yields from other income-producing investments, such as long-term bonds. Higher interest rates also mean that financing for property purchases and improvements is more costly and difficult to obtain. During periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that mortgagors elect to prepay, which can reduce the yield on securities issued by mortgage REITs. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of borrowers to repay debts to the REIT when due and equity REITs may be affected by the ability of tenants to pay rent.
Like small-cap stocks in general, certain REITs have relatively small market capitalizations and their securities can be more volatile than and at times will perform differently from large-cap stocks. In addition, because small-cap stocks are typically less liquid than large-cap stocks, REIT stocks may sometimes experience greater share-price fluctuations than the stocks of larger companies. Further, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification, and are therefore subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. By investing in REITs indirectly through a fund, a shareholder will bear indirectly a proportionate share of the REIT’s expenses in addition to their proportionate share of a fund’s expenses. Finally, REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act) and CFTC regulations.
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Rights and Warrants. Rights and warrants are types of securities that entitle the holder to purchase a proportionate amount of common stock at a specified price for a specific period of time. Rights allow a shareholder to buy more shares directly from the company, usually at a price somewhat lower than the current market price of the outstanding shares. Warrants are usually issued with bonds and preferred stock. Rights and warrants can trade on the market separately from the company’s stock. The prices of rights and warrants do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying common stock. Rights usually expire within a few weeks of issuance, while warrants may not expire for several years. If a right or warrant is not exercised within the specified time period, it will become worthless and a fund will lose the purchase price it paid for the right or warrant and the right to purchase the underlying security.
Initial Public Offering. A fund may purchase shares issued as part of, or a short period after, a company's initial public offering (IPO), and may at times dispose of those shares shortly after their acquisition. A fund’s purchase of shares issued in IPOs exposes it to the risks associated with companies that have little operating history as public companies, as well as to the risks inherent in those sectors of the market where these new issuers operate. The market for IPO issuers has been volatile, and share prices of newly-public companies have fluctuated significantly over short periods of time.
Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). MLPs are limited partnerships in which the common units are publicly traded. MLP common units are freely traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and are generally registered with the SEC. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to real estate development and oil and gas industries, but they also may finance motion pictures, research and development and other projects. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role, if any, in the partnership’s operations and management.
MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (minimum quarterly distributions). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the minimum quarterly distribution is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the minimum quarterly distribution; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions are intended to encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results are intended to benefit all security holders of the MLP, however, such incentive distribution payments give rise to potential conflicts of interest between the common unit holders and the general partner.
MLP common units represent a limited partnership interest in the MLP. Common units are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges or over-the-counter, with their value fluctuating predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. The funds may purchase common units in market transactions as well as directly from the MLP or other parties in private placements. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited voting rights and have no ability to annually elect directors. MLPs generally distribute all available cash flow (cash flow from operations less maintenance capital expenditures) in the form of quarterly distributions. Common units along with general partner units, have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to the minimum quarterly distribution and have arrearage rights. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.
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MLP subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs to their original sponsors, such as their founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets to the MLP, and investors. Subordinated units may be purchased directly from these persons as well as newly-issued subordinated units from MLPs themselves. Subordinated units have similar voting rights as common units and are generally not publicly traded. Once the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units, including any arrearages, has been paid, subordinated units receive cash distributions up to the minimum quarterly distribution prior to any incentive payments to the MLP’s general partner. Unlike common units, subordinated units do not have arrearage rights. In the event of liquidation, common units and general partner interests have priority over subordinated units. Subordinated units are typically converted into common units on a one-to-one basis after certain time periods and/or performance targets have been satisfied. The purchase or sale price of subordinated units is generally tied to the common unit price less a discount. The size of the discount varies depending on the likelihood of conversion, the length of time remaining to conversion, the size of the block purchased relative to trading volumes, and other factors, including smaller capitalization partnerships or companies potentially having limited product lines, markets or financial resources, lacking management depth or experience, and being more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic development than larger more established companies.
General partner interests of MLPs are typically retained by an MLP’s original sponsors, such as its founders, corporate partners, entities that sell assets to the MLP and investors. A holder of general partner interests can be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holder’s investment in the general partner interest. General partner interests often confer direct board participation rights and in many cases, operating control, over the MLP. These interests themselves are not publicly traded, although they may be owned by publicly traded entities. General partner interests receive cash distributions, typically 2% of the MLP’s aggregate cash distributions, which are contractually defined in the partnership agreement. In addition, holders of general partner interests typically hold incentive distribution rights, which provide them with a larger share of the aggregate MLP cash distributions as the distributions to limited partner unit holders are increased to prescribed levels. General partner interests generally cannot be converted into common units. The general partner interest can be redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unitholders choose to remove the general partner, typically with a supermajority vote by limited partner unitholders.
Additional risks involved with investing in an MLP are risks associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risks of investing in real estate, or oil and gas industries.
Certain MLPs are dependent on their parent companies or sponsors for a majority of their revenues. Any failure by an MLP’s parents or sponsors to satisfy their payments or obligations would impact the MLP’s revenues and cash flows and ability to make distributions.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) such as Standard and Poor’s Depositary Receipts (SPDRs) Trust, are investment companies that typically are registered under the 1940 Act as open-end funds or unit investment trusts (UITs). ETFs are actively traded on national securities exchanges and are generally based on specific domestic and foreign market indices. Shares of an ETF may be bought and sold throughout the day at market prices, which may be higher or lower than the shares’ net asset value. An “index-based ETF” seeks to track the performance of an index holding in its portfolio either the contents of the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. Because ETFs are based on an underlying basket of stocks or an index, they are subject to the same market fluctuations as these types of securities in volatile market swings. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When a fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s expenses. As with any exchange listed security, ETF shares purchased in the secondary market are subject to customary brokerage charges.
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC to iShares and procedures approved by the funds’ Board, each fund may invest in iShares beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act but not to exceed 25% of the fund’s total assets, provided that the fund has described ETF investments in its prospectus and otherwise complies with the conditions of the exemptive order and other applicable investment limitations. Neither the iShares ® Funds nor their investment adviser make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in a fund.
Business Development Companies (BDCs) are closed-end investment companies that have elected to be BDCs under the 1940 Act and are taxed as regulated investment companies (RICs) under the Internal Revenue Code. BDCs operate as venture capital companies and typically invest in, lend capital to, and provide significant managerial assistance to
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developing private companies or thinly-traded public companies. Under the 1940 Act, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of privately-held U.S. companies or thinly-traded U.S. public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In addition, a BDC may only incur indebtedness in amounts such that the BDC’s coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities equals at least 200% after such incurrence.
BDCs generally invest in debt securities that are not rated by a credit rating agency and are considered below investment grade quality (junk bonds). Little public information generally exists for the type of companies in which a BDC may invest and, therefore, there is a risk that investors may not be able to make a fully informed evaluation of the BDC and its portfolio of investments. In addition, investments made by BDCs are typically illiquid and are difficult to value for purposes of determining a BDC’s net asset value (for more information on BDCs, see the section titled “Securities of Other Investment Companies”).
Foreign Currency Transactions. A fund may invest in foreign currency-denominated securities, may purchase and sell foreign currency options and foreign currency futures contracts and related options and may engage in foreign currency transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange market at the time or through forward currency contracts (forwards) with terms generally of less than one year. A fund may engage in these transactions in order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of securities.
A fund may also use foreign currency options and foreign currency forward contracts to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. A fund will earmark or segregate assets for any open positions in forwards used for non-hedging purposes and mark to market daily as may be required under the federal securities laws.
A forward involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts may be bought or sold to protect a fund against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar or to increase exposure to a particular foreign currency. Many foreign securities markets do not settle trades within a time frame that would be considered customary in the U.S. stock market. Therefore, a fund may engage in forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to secure exchange rates for fund securities purchased or sold, but awaiting settlement. These transactions do not seek to eliminate any fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities involved. Instead, the transactions simply establish a rate of exchange that can be expected when a fund settles its securities transactions in the future. Forwards involve certain risks. For example, if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of the contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably, a fund could sustain a loss.
A fund may engage in forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of specific portfolio positions, which is called “position hedging.” When engaging in position hedging, a fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange transactions to protect against a decline in the values of the foreign currencies in which portfolio securities are denominated (or against an increase in the value of currency for securities that a fund expects to purchase).
Buying and selling foreign currency exchange contracts involves costs and may result in losses. The ability of a fund to engage in these transactions may be limited by tax considerations. Although these techniques tend to minimize the risk of loss due to declines in the value of the hedged currency, they tend to limit any potential gain that might result from an increase in the value of such currency. Transactions in these contracts involve certain other risks. Unanticipated fluctuations in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for a fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between a fund’s holdings of securities denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts into which a fund enters. Such imperfect correlation may cause a fund to sustain losses, which will prevent it from achieving a complete hedge or expose it to risk of foreign exchange loss.
Suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a fund will engage in such transactions at any given time or from time to time. Also, such transactions may not be successful and
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may eliminate any chance for a fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.
Forwards will be used primarily to adjust the foreign exchange exposure of a fund with a view to protecting the outlook, and a fund might be expected to enter into such contracts under the following circumstances:
Lock In . When the investment adviser desires to lock in the U.S. dollar price on the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency.
Cross Hedge . If a particular currency is expected to decrease against another currency, a fund may sell the currency expected to decrease and purchase a currency which is expected to increase against the currency sold in an amount approximately equal to some or all of a fund’s portfolio holdings denominated in the currency sold.
Direct Hedge . If the investment adviser wants to eliminate substantially all of the risk of owning a particular currency, and/or if the investment adviser thinks that a fund can benefit from price appreciation in a given country’s bonds but does not want to hold the currency, it may employ a direct hedge back into the U.S. dollar. In either case, a fund would enter into a forward contract to sell the currency in which a portfolio security is denominated and purchase U.S. dollars at an exchange rate established at the time it initiated the contract. The cost of the direct hedge transaction may offset most, if not all, of the yield advantage offered by the foreign security, but a fund would benefit from an increase in value of the bond.
Proxy Hedge . The investment adviser might choose to use a proxy hedge, which may be less costly than a direct hedge. In this case, a fund, having purchased a security, will sell a currency whose value is believed to be closely linked to the currency in which the security is denominated. Interest rates prevailing in the country whose currency was sold would be expected to be closer to those in the U.S. and lower than those of securities denominated in the currency of the original holding. This type of hedging entails greater risk than a direct hedge because it is dependent on a stable relationship between the two currencies paired as proxies and the relationships can be very unstable at times.
Costs of Hedging . When a fund purchases a foreign bond with a higher interest rate than is available on U.S. bonds of a similar maturity, the additional yield on the foreign bond could be substantially reduced or lost if a fund were to enter into a direct hedge by selling the foreign currency and purchasing the U.S. dollar. This is what is known as the “cost” of hedging. Proxy hedging attempts to reduce this cost through an indirect hedge back to the U.S. dollar. It is important to note that hedging costs are treated as capital transactions and are not, therefore, deducted from a fund’s dividend distribution and are not reflected in its yield. Instead such costs will, over time, be reflected in a fund’s net asset value per share.
Tax Consequences of Hedging . Under applicable tax law, a fund may be required to limit its gains from hedging in foreign currency forwards, futures, and options. Although a fund is expected to comply with such limits, the extent to which these limits apply is subject to tax regulations as yet unissued. Hedging may also result in the application of the mark-to-market and straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Those provisions could result in an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by a fund and could affect whether dividends paid by a fund are classified as capital gains or ordinary income.
Foreign Securities. Investments in foreign securities involve additional risks, including foreign currency exchange rate risks, because they are issued by foreign entities, including foreign governments, banks and corporations or because they are traded principally overseas. Foreign securities in which a fund may invest include those issued by foreign entities that are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. corporations. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about foreign entities. Foreign economic, political and legal developments, as well as fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates and withholding taxes, could have more dramatic effects on the value of foreign securities. For example, conditions within and around foreign countries, such as the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, diplomatic developments, the imposition of trade sanctions, change of government or war could affect the value of foreign investments. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
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Foreign securities typically have less volume and are generally less liquid and more volatile than securities of U.S. companies. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although a fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable overall results on portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed companies than in the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. There may be difficulties in obtaining or enforcing judgments against foreign issuers as well. Bankruptcy laws in some foreign countries are sometimes biased to the borrowers and against the creditors. Bankruptcy laws in some foreign countries are sometimes biased to the borrowers and against the creditors. These factors and others may increase the risks with respect to the liquidity of a fund, and its ability to meet a large number of shareholder redemption requests.
In addition, a fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to economic sanctions or other government restrictions. These restrictions may negatively impact the value or liquidity of a fund’s investments, and could impair a fund’s ability to meet its investment objective or invest in accordance with its investment strategy. For example, a fund may be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such restrictionswhich could interfere with the fund’s ability to invest primarily in the securities of its index. In addition, these restrictions may require a fund to freeze its existing investments in certain foreign securities, which would prohibit the fund from buying, selling, receiving or delivering those securities or other financial instruments. As a result, such restrictions may limit a fund’s ability to meet a large number of shareholder redemption requests.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures and, in certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause a fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Losses to a fund arising out of the inability to fulfill a contract to sell such securities also could result in potential liability for a fund.
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may be made and held in foreign currencies. In addition, a fund may hold cash investments in foreign currencies. These investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations, and may cause a fund to incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange market as well as by political and economic factors. Changes in the foreign currency exchange rates also may affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities, and net investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by a fund.
During the recent global financial crisis, financial markets in Europe experienced significant volatility due, in part, to concerns about rising levels of government debt and the prevalence of increased budget deficits. As a result, many economies in the region suffered through prolonged economic downturns. Although some European economies have shown signs of recovery, any recovery may be slow as the region continues to face difficult challenges including high unemployment rates, significant levels of government debt, continuing trade deficits, significant austerity measures and lack of access to capital. Furthermore, due to the economic integration of the region, another economic downturn in one European country may have a negative impact on the economies of other European countries. As a fund may hold investments in issuers that are located in Europe or that depend on revenues generated from operations in Europe, any material negative developments in Europe could have a negative impact on the value and liquidity of these investments, which could harm a fund’s performance.
Foreign Institutions involve additional risks. The funds may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued by foreign institutions or securities that are subject to credit or liquidity enhancements provided by foreign institutions. Foreign institutions may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements that are comparable to those applicable to U.S. corporations. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about foreign entities. Foreign economic, political and legal developments could have effects on the value of securities issued or supported by foreign institutions. For example, conditions within and around foreign countries, such as the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, diplomatic
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developments, change of government or war could affect the value of these securities. In addition, there may be difficulties in obtaining or enforcing judgments against foreign institutions that issue or support securities in which a fund may invest. These factors and others may increase the risks with respect to the liquidity of a fund, and its ability to meet a large number of shareholder redemption requests.
Illiquid Securities generally are any securities that cannot be disposed of promptly and in the ordinary course of business within seven days approximately the amount at which a fund has valued the instruments. The liquidity of a fund’s investments is monitored under the supervision and direction of the Board. Investments currently not considered liquid, among others, include repurchase agreements not maturing within seven days that are not subject to a demand feature of seven days or less and certain restricted securities. Any security may become illiquid at times of market dislocation.
Indexing Strategies involve tracking the securities represented in, and therefore the performance of, an index. Each fund normally will invest primarily in the securities of its index. Moreover, each fund invests so that its portfolio performs similarly to that of its index. Each fund tries to generally match its holdings in a particular security to its weight in the index. Each fund will seek a correlation between its performance and that of its index of 0.90 or better, over time. A perfect correlation of 1.0 is unlikely as the index funds incur operating and trading expenses unlike their indices. Each fund may rebalance its holdings in order to track its index more closely. In the event its intended correlation is not achieved, the Board will consider alternative arrangements for each fund.
There can be no guarantee that the performance of a fund will achieve a high degree of correlation with that of its index. A number of factors may affect a fund’s ability to achieve a high correlation with its index, including the degree to which a fund utilizes a sampling technique. The correlation between the performance of a fund and its index may also diverge due to transaction costs, asset valuations, corporate actions (such as mergers and spinoffs), timing variances, and differences between a fund’s portfolio and the index resulting from legal restrictions such as diversification requirements) that apply to a fund but not to the index.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending. The SEC has granted an exemption to the funds that permits the funds to borrow money from and/or lend money to other funds in the Fund Complex as defined under “Management of the Funds.” All loans are for temporary or emergency purposes and the interest rates to be charged will be the average of the overnight repurchase agreement rate and the short term bank loan rate. All loans are subject to numerous conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all participating funds/portfolios. The interfund lending facility is subject to the oversight and periodic review of the Boards of Trustees.
Money Market Securities are high-quality, short term debt securities that may be issued by entities such as the U.S. government, corporations and financial institutions (like banks). Money market securities include commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, notes and time deposits. Certificates of deposit and time deposits are issued against funds deposited in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Bankers’ acceptances are credit instruments evidencing a bank’s obligation to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the full amount of the instrument upon maturity. Commercial paper consists of short term, unsecured promissory notes issued to finance short term credit needs.
Money market securities pay fixed, variable or floating rates of interest and are generally subject to credit and interest rate risks. The maturity date or price of and financial assets collateralizing a security may be structured in order to make it qualify as or act like a money market security. These securities may be subject to greater credit and interest rate risks than other money market securities because of their structure. Money market securities may be issued with puts or sold separately; these puts, which are sometimes called demand features or guarantees, which are agreements that allow the buyer to sell a security at a specified price and time to the seller or “put provider.” When a fund buys a put, losses could occur as a result of the costs of the put or if it exercises its rights under the put and the put provider does not perform as agreed. Standby commitments are types of puts.
A fund may keep a portion of its assets in cash for business operations. A fund may invest in money market securities to reduce the effect this otherwise uninvested cash would have on its performance. A fund may also invest in money market securities to the extent it is consistent with its investment objective.
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Bankers’ Acceptances or Notes are credit instruments evidencing a bank’s obligation to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the full amount of the instrument upon maturity. A fund will invest only in bankers’ acceptances of banks that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million.
Certificates of Deposit or Time Deposits are issued against funds deposited in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. A fund will invest only in certificates of deposit of banks that have capital, surplus and undivided profits, in aggregate, in excess of $100 million.
Commercial Paper consists of short-term, promissory notes issued by banks, corporations and other institutions to finance short-term credit needs. These securities generally are discounted but sometimes may be interest bearing. Commercial paper, which also may be unsecured, is subject to credit risk.
Repurchase Agreements are instruments under which a buyer acquires ownership of certain securities (usually U.S. government securities) from a seller who agrees to repurchase the securities at a mutually agreed-upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the buyer’s holding period. Any repurchase agreements a fund enters into will involve a fund as the buyer and banks or broker-dealers as sellers. The period of repurchase agreements is usually short - from overnight to one week, although the securities collateralizing a repurchase agreement may have longer maturity dates. Default by the seller might cause a fund to experience a loss or delay in the liquidation of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. A fund also may incur disposition costs in liquidating the collateral. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of a repurchase agreement’s seller, a fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could experience losses, including a decline in the value of the underlying securities and loss of income. A fund will make payment under a repurchase agreement only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer of the collateral to the account of its custodian bank.
Non-Publicly Traded Securities and Private Placements. A fund may invest in securities that are neither listed on a stock exchange nor traded over-the-counter, including privately placed securities. Such unlisted securities may involve a higher degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses. As a result of the absence of a public trading market for these securities, they may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by a fund or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Furthermore, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements which might be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. If such securities are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being sold, a fund may be required to bear the expenses of registration.
Restricted Securities are securities that are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling restricted securities may result in a loss or be costly to a fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security. Certain restricted securities, such as Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper and Rule 144A securities under the 1933 Act, may be considered to be liquid if they meet the criteria for liquidity established by the Board. To the extent a fund invests in restricted securities that are deemed liquid, the general level of illiquidity in the fund’s portfolio may be increased if such securities become illiquid.
Securities Lending of portfolio securities is a common practice in the securities industry. A fund may engage in security lending arrangements. For example, a fund may receive cash collateral and may invest it in short-term, interest-bearing obligations, but will do so only to the extent that it will not lose the tax treatment available to regulated investment companies. Lending portfolio securities involves risks that the borrower may fail to return the securities or provide additional collateral. Also, voting rights with respect to the loaned securities may pass with the lending of the securities and efforts to call such securities promptly may be unsuccessful, especially for foreign
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securities. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral, or delay in recovery of the collateral, if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. A fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral.
A fund may loan portfolio securities to qualified broker-dealers or other institutional investors provided: (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. government securities, letters of credit, cash or cash equivalents or other appropriate instruments maintained on a daily marked-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned; (2) a fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of the securities loaned; (3) a fund will receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities; and (4) the aggregate market value of securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of a fund, including collateral received from the loan (at market value computed at the time of the loan).
Although voting rights with respect to loaned securities pass to the borrower, the lender retains the right to recall a security (or terminate a loan) for the purpose of exercising the security’s voting rights. Efforts to recall such securities promptly may be unsuccessful, especially for foreign securities or thinly traded securities such as small-cap stocks. In addition, because recalling a security may involve expenses to a fund, it is expected that a fund will do so only where the items being voted upon are, in the judgment of the investment adviser, either are material to the economic value of the security or threaten to materially impact the issuer’s corporate governance policies or structure.
To the extent a fund participates in securities lending under the current securities lending agreements with the unaffiliated lending agents, costs and expenses, including agent fees, associated with securities lending activities under the securities lending program paid to the lending agent are approximately 10% of the gross lending revenues (with the ability to reach further breakpoints). All remaining revenue is retained by the fund, as applicable. No portion of the lending revenue is paid to or retained by the investment adviser or its affiliates.
Securities of Other Investment Companies. Investment companies generally offer investors the advantages of diversification and professional investment management, by combining shareholders’ money and investing it in securities such as stocks, bonds and money market instruments. Investment companies include: (1) open-end funds (commonly called mutual funds) that issue and redeem their shares on a continuous basis; (2) business development companies that generally invest in, and provide services to, privately-held companies or thinly-traded public companies (see the sub-section titled “Business Development Companies” under “Equity Securities” for more information); (3) closed-end funds that offer a fixed number of shares, and are usually listed on an exchange; and (4) unit investment trusts that generally offer a fixed number of redeemable shares. Certain open-end funds, closed-end funds and unit investment trusts are traded on exchanges (see the sub-section entitled “Exchange-Traded Funds” under “Equity Securities” for more information).
To the extent a fund invests, or has invested, in shares of other investment companies, including BDCs, during its prior fiscal year, the fund, pursuant to SEC rules, must disclose any material fees and expenses indirectly incurred by the fund as a result of such investments. These indirect fees and expenses, to the extent incurred, will appear in the fee table of the fund’s prospectus as a separate line item captioned “Acquired fund fees and expenses.” Unlike securities of other investment companies, BDCs may be included in various indices by index providers. As a result, particularly to the extent a fund seeks to track the total return of its index by replicating the index (rather than employing statistical sampling techniques), a fund may hold securities of BDCs and may be required to disclose acquired fund fees and expenses.
Investment companies may make investments and use techniques designed to enhance their performance. These may include delayed-delivery and when-issued securities transactions; swap agreements; buying and selling futures contracts, illiquid, and/or restricted securities and repurchase agreements; and borrowing or lending money and/or portfolio securities. The risks of investing in a particular investment company will generally reflect the risks of the securities in which it invests and the investment techniques it employs. Also, investment companies charge fees and incur expenses.
The funds may buy securities of other investment companies, including those of foreign issuers, in compliance with the requirements of federal law or any SEC exemptive order. A fund may invest in investment companies that are not registered with the SEC or in privately placed securities of investment companies (which may or may not be
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registered), such as hedge funds and offshore funds. Unregistered funds are largely exempt from the regulatory requirements that apply to registered investment companies. As a result, unregistered funds may have a greater ability to make investments, or use investment techniques, that offer a higher potential investment return (for example, leveraging), but which may carry high risk. Unregistered funds, while not regulated by the SEC like registered funds, may be indirectly supervised by the financial institutions (e.g., commercial and investment banks) that may provide them with loans or other sources of capital. Investments in unregistered funds may be difficult to sell, which could cause a fund selling an interest in an unregistered fund to lose money. For example, many hedge funds require their investors to hold their investments for at least one year.
Federal law restricts the ability of one registered investment company to invest in another. As a result, the extent to which a fund may invest in another investment company may be limited. With respect to investments in other mutual funds, the SEC has granted the funds an exemption from the limitations of the 1940 Act that restrict the amount of securities of underlying mutual funds a fund may hold, provided that certain conditions are met. The conditions requested by the SEC were designed to address certain abuses perceived to be associated with funds of funds, including unnecessary costs (such as sales loads, advisory fees and administrative costs), and undue influence by a fund of funds over the underlying fund. The conditions apply only when a fund and its affiliates in the aggregate own more than 3% of the outstanding shares of any one underlying fund.
Under the terms of the exemptive order, each fund and its affiliates may not control a non-affiliated underlying fund. Under the 1940 Act, any person who owns beneficially, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is assumed to control that company. This limitation is measured at the time the investment is made. The funds do not currently intend to take advantage of this exemptive order because the funds are not “funds of funds.”
Short Sales may be used by a fund as part of its overall portfolio management strategies or to offset (hedge) a potential decline in the value of a security. A fund may engage in short sales that are either “against the box” or “uncovered.” A short sale is “against the box” if at all times during which the short position is open, a fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or has the right to acquire, at no added cost, the securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale against the box is a taxable transaction to a fund with respect to the securities that are sold short. “Uncovered” short sales are transactions under which a fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such transaction, a fund may borrow the security through a broker to make delivery to the buyer and, in doing so, a fund becomes obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement. A fund also may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities, which would increase the cost of the security. In addition, a fund is often obligated to pay any accrued interest and dividends on the securities until they are replaced. The proceeds of the short sale position will be retained by the broker until a fund replaces the borrowed securities.
A fund will incur a loss if the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the fund replaces the borrowed security and, conversely, the fund will realize a gain if the price declines. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. A short sale creates the risk of an unlimited loss, as the price of the underlying securities could theoretically increase without limit, thus increasing the cost of buying those securities to cover the short position. If a fund sells securities short “against the box,” it may protect unrealized gains, but will lose the opportunity to profit on such securities if the price rises. The successful use of short selling as a hedging strategy may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.
A fund’s obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will be secured by collateral deposited with the broker that consists of cash or other liquid securities. In addition, a fund will earmark cash or liquid assets or place in a segregated account an amount of cash or other liquid assets equal to the difference, if any, between (1) the market value of the securities sold short, marked-to-market daily, and (2) any cash or other liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale.
Stock Substitution Strategy is a strategy, whereby each fund may, in certain circumstances, substitute a similar stock for a security in its index.
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U.S. Government Securities are issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Not all U.S. government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Some U.S. government securities, such as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by a line of credit the issuing entity has with the U.S. Treasury. Securities issued by other issuers are supported solely by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality such as obligations issued by the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government securities of its agencies and instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so under law. U.S. government securities, including U.S. Treasury securities, are among the safest securities, however, not unlike other debt securities, they are still sensitive to interest rate changes, which will cause their yields and prices to fluctuate.
On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality. Under these Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (SPAs), the U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide up to $100 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. On May 6, 2009, the U.S. Treasury increased its maximum commitment to each instrumentality under the SPAs to $200 billion per instrumentality. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Treasury further amended the SPAs to allow the cap on the U.S. Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s net worth through the end of 2012. On August 17, 2012, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was again amending the SPAs to terminate the requirement that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each pay a 10% dividend annually on all amounts received under the funding commitment. Instead, they will transfer to the U.S. Treasury on a quarterly basis all profits earned during a quarter that exceed a capital reserve amount of $3 billion. It is anticipated that the new amendment would put Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a better position to service their debt. At the start of 2013, the unlimited support the U.S. Treasury extended to the two companies expired Fannie Mae’s bailout is capped at $125 billion and Freddie Mac has a limit of $149 billion.
The actions of the U.S. Treasury are intended to ensure that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac maintain a positive net worth and meet their financial obligations preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Treasury initiatives will be successful. In addition, the future for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac remains uncertain. The U.S. Congress has recently considered proposals to reduce the U.S. government’s role in the mortgage market and to wind down or restructure the operations of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Should the federal government adopt any such proposal, the value of a fund’s investments in securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac would be impacted.
Although the risk of default with the U.S. government securities is considered unlikely, any default on the part of a portfolio investment could cause a fund’s share price or yield to fall.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
The following investment limitations may be changed only by vote of a majority of each fund’s outstanding voting shares:
Each of the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund, Schwab 1000 Index Fund, Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund and Schwab International Index Fund may not:
(1) Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
(2) Make loans to other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
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(3) Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
(4) Purchase securities of an issuer, except as consistent with the maintenance of its status as an open-end diversified company under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
(5) Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
(6) Purchase or sell commodities or real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
(7) Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
In addition, each of the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund, Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund and Schwab International Index Fund may not:
(1) Purchase securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, including any exemptive relief granted by the SEC.
In addition, the Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund may not:
(1) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any of its assets, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
In addition, the Schwab 1000 Index Fund may not:
(1) Purchase securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
The Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund may not:
(1) Purchase securities of any issuer, except as consistent with the maintenance of its status as a diversified company under the 1940 Act.
(2) Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder.
(3) (i) Purchase or sell commodities, commodities contracts, futures or real estate; (ii) lend or borrow money; (iii) issue senior securities; (iv) underwrite securities; or (v) pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any of its assets, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder.
The following are non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions, and may be changed by the Board.
Each fund may not:
(1) Sell securities short unless it owns the security or the right to obtain the security or equivalent securities, or unless it covers such short sale as required by current SEC rules and interpretations (transactions in futures contracts, options and other derivative instruments are not considered selling securities short).
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(2) Purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities and provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
(3) Borrow money except that the fund may (i) borrow money from banks or through an interfund lending facility, if any, only for temporary or emergency purposes (and not for leveraging) and (ii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements with any party; provided that (i) and (ii) in combination do not exceed 33 1/3% of its total assets (any borrowings that come to exceed this amount will be reduced to the extent necessary to comply with the limitation within three business days).
(4) Lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties (this restriction does not apply to purchases of debt securities or repurchase agreements).
(5) Purchase securities (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or more of the value of its total assets would be invested in any industry or group of industries (except that each fund may purchase securities to the extent that its index is also so concentrated).
(6) Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or real estate, including interests in real estate limited partnerships, provided that each fund may (i) purchase securities of companies that deal in real estate or interests therein (including REITs); (ii) purchase or sell futures contracts, options contracts, equity index participations and index participation contracts; and (iii) purchase securities of companies that deal in precious metals or interests therein.
(7) Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
In addition, the Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund
(1) Intends to achieve its investment objective by tracking the price and dividend performance (total return) of the Russell 2000 Index.
In addition, the Schwab International Index Fund
(1) Intends to achieve its investment objective by tracking the price and dividend performance (total return) of the MSCI EAFE Index.
In addition, the Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund may not:
(1) Purchase securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
The following descriptions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the above policies and restrictions.
Borrowing . The 1940 Act restricts an investment company from borrowing (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in excess of 33 1/3% of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets). Transactions that are fully collateralized in a manner that does not involve the prohibited issuance of a “senior security” within the meaning of Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act, shall not be regarded as borrowings for the purposes of a fund’s investment restriction.
Concentration. The SEC has defined concentration as investing 25% or more of an investment company’s total assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions.
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Diversification. Under the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, a “diversified company,” as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of any issuer (other than obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government or its agencies, or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuer’s voting securities would be held by the fund.
Lending . Under the 1940 Act, an investment company may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies.
Real Estate. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment company’s ability to invest in real estate, but does require that every investment company have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments. Each fund has adopted a fundamental policy that would permit direct investment in real estate. However, each fund has a non-fundamental investment limitation that prohibits it from investing directly in real estate. This non-fundamental policy may be changed only by vote of a fund’s Board.
Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by an investment company evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits each fund from issuing senior securities, although it provides allowances for certain borrowings and certain other investments, such as short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, when such investments are “covered” or with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligations.
Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves an investment company purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets. The foregoing restriction does not apply to non-diversified funds.
Policies and investment limitations that state a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in a security or other asset, or that set forth a quality standard shall be measured immediately after and as a result of a fund’s acquisition of such security or asset, unless otherwise noted. Except with respect to limitations on borrowing and futures and option contracts, any subsequent change in total assets or net assets, as applicable, or other circumstances does not require a fund to sell an investment if it could not then make the same investment. With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause a fund to exceed its limitation, the fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.
Management of the FUNDS
The funds are overseen by a Board. The trustees are responsible for protecting shareholder interests. The trustees regularly meet to review the investment activities, contractual arrangements and the investment performance of each fund. The trustees met 6 times during the most recent fiscal year.
Certain trustees are “interested persons.” A trustee is considered an interested person of a trust under the 1940 Act if he or she is an officer, director, or an employee of CSIM or, with respect to Schwab Funds (as defined below) only, Schwab. A trustee also may be considered an interested person of a trust under the 1940 Act if he or she owns stock of The Charles Schwab Corporation, a publicly traded company and the parent company of the funds’ investment adviser and the Schwab Funds’ distributor.
As used herein, the terms “Fund Complex” and “Family of Investment Companies” each refer collectively to The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Strategic Trust and Laudus Trust which, as of February 25, 2016, included 96 funds. As used herein, the term “Schwab Funds” refers collectively to The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Annuity Portfolios and Schwab Capital Trust; the term “Laudus Funds” refers to collectively Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust; and the term “Schwab ETFs” refers to Schwab Strategic Trust.
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Each of the officers and/or trustees also serves in the same capacity, unless otherwise noted, for The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Strategic Trust and Laudus Trust. Certain officers and/or trustees also serve as officers and/or trustees of the Laudus Institutional Trust, which has no series. The tables below provide information about the trustees and officers for the trusts, which includes the funds in this SAI. The address of each individual listed below is 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105.
NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST
(TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 1 )
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY THE TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Robert W. Burns
1959
Trustee
(Trustee of Schwab Strategic Trust since 2009; The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios and Laudus Trust since 2016)
Retired/Private Investor (Jan. 2009-present). Formerly, Managing Director, Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC (PIMCO) and President, PIMCO Funds. 96 Director, PS Business Parks, Inc. (2005-2012)
John F. Cogan
1947
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios since 2008; Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2010; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2016)
Senior Fellow, The Hoover Institution at Stanford University (Oct. 1979-present); Senior Fellow, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (2000-present); Professor of Public Policy, Stanford University (1994-2015). 96 Director, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (2005-present)
Stephen Timothy Kochis
1946
Trustee
(Trustee of Schwab Strategic Trust since 2012; The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios and Laudus Trust since 2016)
CEO and Owner, Kochis Global (wealth management consulting) (May 2012-present); Chairman and CEO, Aspiriant, LLC (wealth management) (Jan. 2008-Apr. 2012). 96 None
David L. Mahoney
1954
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2011; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2016)
Private Investor. 96 Director, Symantec Corporation (2003-present)

Director, Corcept Therapeutics
Incorporated (2004-present)

Director, Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2009-present)
Kiran M. Patel
1948
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2011; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2016)
Retired. Executive Vice President and General Manager of Small Business Group, Intuit, Inc. (financial software and services firm for consumers and small businesses) (Dec. 2008-Sept. 2013). 96 Director, KLA-Tencor Corporation (2008-present)
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NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST
(TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 1 )
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY THE TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Kimberly S. Patmore
1956
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust, and Laudus Trust since 2016)
Consultant, Patmore Management Consulting (management consulting) (2008-present). 96 None
Charles A. Ruffel
1956
Trustee
(Trustee of Schwab Strategic Trust since 2009; The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2015)
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Kudu Investment Management, LLC (financial services) (Jan. 2015-present); Partner, Kudu Advisors, LLC (financial services) (June 2008-Jan. 2015); Advisor, Asset International, Inc. (publisher of financial services information) (Aug. 2008-Jan. 2015). 96 None
Gerald B. Smith
1950
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios since 2000; Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2010; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2016)
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Smith Graham & Co. (investment advisors) (Mar. 1990-present). 96 Director, Eaton (2012-present)

Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee, Oneok Partners LP (2003-2013)

Director, Oneok, Inc. (2009-2013)

Lead Independent Director, Board of Cooper Industries (2002-2012)
Joseph H. Wender
1944
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios since 2008; Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2010; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2016)
Senior Consultant, Goldman Sachs & Co., Inc. (investment banking and securities firm) (Jan. 2008-present); Partner, Colgin Partners, LLC (vineyards) (Feb. 1998-present). 96 Board Member and Chairman of the Audit Committee, Isis Pharmaceuticals (1994-present)

Lead Independent Director and Chair of Audit Committee, OUTFRONT Media Inc. (2014-present)
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NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST
(TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 1 )
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY THE TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
INTERESTED TRUSTEES​
Walter W. Bettinger II 2
1960
Chairman and Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios since 2008; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2009; Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2010)
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Charles Schwab Corporation (Oct. 2008-present); President and Chief Executive Officer (Oct. 2008-present), Director (May 2008-present), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Director, Charles Schwab Bank (Apr. 2006-present); and Director, Schwab Holdings, Inc. (May 2008-present). 96 Director, The Charles Schwab Corporation (2008-present)
Marie A. Chandoha 2
1961
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust and Laudus Trust since 2016)
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Dec. 2010-present), Chief Investment Officer (Sept. 2010-Oct. 2011), Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; Trustee (Jan. 2016-present), President, Chief Executive Officer (Dec. 2010-present), and Chief Investment Officer (Sept. 2010-Oct. 2011), Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds and Schwab ETFs; Director, Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds plc and Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Limited (Jan. 2011-present); Global Head of Fixed Income Business Division, BlackRock, Inc. (formerly Barclays Global Investors) (Mar. 2007-Aug. 2010). 96 None
Joseph R. Martinetto 2
1962
Trustee
(Trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust and Laudus Trust since 2016)
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, The Charles Schwab Corporation and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (July 2015-present); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Charles Schwab Corporation and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (May 2007-July 2015); Director, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (May 2007-present); Director (Apr. 2010-present) and Chief Executive Officer (July 2013-Apr. 2015), Charles Schwab Bank; Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Schwab Holdings, Inc. (May 2007-present). 96 None
    
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NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST
(TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 3 )
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
OFFICERS
Marie A. Chandoha
1961
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2010)
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Dec. 2010-present), Chief Investment Officer (Sept. 2010-Oct. 2011), Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; Trustee (Jan. 2016-present), President, Chief Executive Officer (Dec. 2010-present), and Chief Investment Officer (Sept. 2010-Oct. 2011), Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds and Schwab ETFs; Director, Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds plc and Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Limited (Jan. 2011-present); Global Head of Fixed Income Business Division, BlackRock, Inc. (formerly Barclays Global Investors) (Mar. 2007-Aug. 2010).
Mark Fischer
1970
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2013)
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds and Schwab ETFs (Jan. 2016-present); Assistant Treasurer, Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds (Dec. 2013-Dec. 2015), Schwab ETFs (Nov. 2013-Dec. 2015); Vice President, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (Oct. 2013-present); Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Investor Services (Apr. 2011-Sept. 2013); Assistant Treasurer, Massachusetts Financial Service Investment Management (May 2005-Mar. 2011).
George Pereira
1964
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
(Officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios since 2004; Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2006; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2009)
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Nov. 2004-present), Chief Operating Officer (Jan. 2011-present), Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (Jan. 2016-present), Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Laudus Funds (June 2006-Dec. 2015); Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer, Schwab Funds (Nov. 2004-Dec. 2015) and Schwab ETFs (Oct. 2009-Dec. 2015); Director, Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds plc and Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Limited (April 2005-present).
Omar Aguilar
1970
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Equities
(Officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2011)
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Equities, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (Apr. 2011-present); Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Equities, Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds and Schwab ETFs (June 2011-present); Head of the Portfolio Management Group and Vice President of Portfolio Management, Financial Engines, Inc. (May 2009-Apr. 2011); Head of Quantitative Equity, ING Investment Management (July 2004-Jan. 2009).
Brett Wander
1961
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Fixed Income
(Officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2011)
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Fixed Income, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (Apr. 2011-present); Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Fixed Income, Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds and Schwab ETFs (June 2011-present); Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Active Fixed-Income Strategies, State Street Global Advisors (Jan. 2008-Oct. 2010); Director of Alpha Strategies Loomis, Sayles & Company (Apr. 2006-Jan. 2008).
David Lekich
1964
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, Schwab Funds and Schwab ETFs
Vice President and Assistant Clerk, Laudus Funds
(Officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2011)
Senior Vice President (Sept. 2011-present), Vice President (Mar. 2004-Sept. 2011), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel (Sept. 2011-present), Vice President (Jan. 2011-Sept. 2011), Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; Secretary (Apr. 2011-present) and Chief Legal Officer (Dec. 2011-present), Schwab Funds; Vice President and Assistant Clerk, Laudus Funds (Apr. 2011-present); Secretary (May 2011-present) and Chief Legal Officer (Nov. 2011-present), Schwab ETFs.
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NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST
(TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 3 )
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
OFFICERS
Catherine MacGregor
1964
Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Schwab Funds and Schwab ETFs
Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Clerk, Laudus Funds
(Officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust since 2005; Schwab Strategic Trust since 2009)
Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (July 2005-present); Vice President (Dec. 2005-present), Chief Legal Officer and Clerk (Mar. 2007-present), Laudus Funds; Vice President (Nov. 2005-present) and Assistant Secretary (June 2007-present), Schwab Funds; Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Schwab ETFs (Oct. 2009-present).
1 Each Trustee shall hold office until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed. The retirement policy requires that each independent trustee retire by December 31 of the year in which Trustee turns 74 or the Trustee’s twentieth year of service as an independent trustee on any trust in the Fund Complex, whichever occurs first.
2 Mr. Bettinger, Ms. Chandoha and Mr. Martinetto are Interested Trustees because they own stock of The Charles Schwab Corporation, the parent company of the investment adviser.
3 The President, Treasurer and Secretary/Clerk hold office until their respective successors are chosen and qualified or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each of the other officers serves at the pleasure of the Boards.
Board Leadership Structure
The Chairman of the Board, Walter W. Bettinger II, is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation and an interested person of the trusts as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. The trusts do not have a single lead independent trustee. The Board is comprised of a super-majority (75 percent) of trustees who are not interested persons of the trusts (i.e., independent trustees). There are three primary committees of the Board: the Audit, Compliance and Valuation Committee; the Governance Committee; and the Investment Oversight Committee. Each of the Committees is chaired by an independent trustee, and each Committee is comprised solely of independent trustees. The Committee chairs preside at Committee meetings, participate in formulating agendas for those meetings, and coordinate with management to serve as a liaison between the independent trustees and management on matters within the scope of the responsibilities of each Committee as set forth in its Board-approved charter. The Board has determined that this leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the trusts. The Board made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the independent trustees of the trusts constitute a super-majority of the Board, the fact that Committee chairs are independent trustees, the number of funds (and classes) overseen by the Board, and the total number of trustees on the Board.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
Like most investment companies, fund management and its other service providers have responsibility for day-to-day risk management for the funds. The Board’s duties, as part of its risk oversight of the trusts, consist of monitoring risks identified during regular and special reports to the Committees of the Board, as well as regular and special reports to the full Board. In addition to monitoring such risks, the Committees and the Board oversee efforts of fund management and service providers to manage risks to which the funds of the trusts may be exposed. For example, the Investment Oversight Committee meets with portfolio managers and receives regular reports regarding investment risk and credit risk of a fund’s portfolio. The Audit, Compliance and Valuation Committee meets with the funds’ Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and receives regular reports regarding compliance risks, operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. From its review of these reports and discussions with management, each Committee receives information about the material risks of the funds of the trusts and about how management and service providers mitigate those risks, enabling the independent Committee chairs and other independent members of the Committees to discuss these risks with the full Board.
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The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the funds can be identified nor can processes and controls be developed to eliminate or mitigate the occurrence or effects of certain risks; some risks are simply beyond the reasonable control of the funds, their management, and service providers. Although the risk oversight functions of the Board, and the risk management policies of fund management and fund service providers, are designed to be effective, there is no guarantee that they will eliminate or mitigate all risks. In addition, it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve each fund’s investment objective. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the funds’ ability to manage risk is subject to significant limitations.
Individual Trustee Qualifications
The Board has concluded that each of the trustees should initially and continue to serve on the Board because of (i) his or her ability to review and understand information about the trusts provided to them by management, to identify and request other information they may deem relevant to the performance of their duties, to question management regarding material factors bearing on the management of the trusts, and to exercise their business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the trusts’ shareholders and (ii) the trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills as described below.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Bettinger should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he gained as president and chief executive officer of The Charles Schwab Corporation, his knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as trustee of the Schwab Funds since 2008, the Schwab ETFs since 2009, and the Laudus Funds since 2010.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Burns should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he gained as managing director of Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC (PIMCO) and president of PIMCO Funds as well as the experience he has gained serving as trustee of the Schwab ETFs since 2009, and his experience serving as chair of the Schwab ETFs’ Audit, Compliance and Valuation Committee until December 2015.
The Board has concluded that Ms. Chandoha should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience she gained as president and chief executive officer of Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., the Schwab Funds, Schwab ETFs and Laudus Funds, as well as her knowledge of and experience of financial and investment management services.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Cogan should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he has gained serving as a senior fellow and professor of public policy at a university and his former service in government, the experience he has gained serving as trustee of the Schwab Funds since 2008 and Laudus Funds since 2010, and his service on other public company boards.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Kochis should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he gained serving as chair and chief executive officer of Aspiriant, LLC, an advisory firm, as well as his knowledge of and experience in wealth management consulting and the experience he has gained serving as trustee of the Schwab ETFs since 2012.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Mahoney should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he gained serving as trustee of the Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds since 2011, as co-chief executive officer of a healthcare services company, and his service on other public company boards.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Martinetto should serve as trustee of the trusts because of his experience serving as senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Charles Schwab Corporation and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Patel should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he gained serving as trustee of the Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds since 2011, as executive vice president, general manager and chief financial officer of a software company, his service on other public company boards, and his experience serving as chair of the Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds’ Audit, Compliance and Valuation Committee.
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The Board has concluded that Ms. Patmore should serve as trustee of the trusts because of her experience serving as chief financial officer and executive vice president of First Data Payment Business and First Data Corporation, as well as her knowledge of and experience in management consulting.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Ruffel should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he gained as the founder and former chief executive officer of a publisher and information services firm specializing in the retirement plan industry, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as trustee of the Schwab ETFs since 2009, and his experience serving as chair of the Schwab ETFs’ Investment Oversight Committee until December 2015.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Smith should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he has gained as managing partner of his own investment advisory firm, the experience he has gained serving as trustee of the Schwab Funds since 2000, as trustee of the Laudus Funds since 2010, his service on other public company boards, and his experience serving as chair of the Schwab Funds’ and Laudus Funds’ Investment Oversight Committee.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Wender should serve as trustee of the trusts because of the experience he gained serving as former partner and head of the financial institutions group of an investment bank, the experience he has gained serving as trustee of the Schwab Funds since 2008, as trustee of the Laudus Funds since 2010, and his service on other public company boards.
Trustee Committees
The Board has established certain committees and adopted Committee charters with respect to those committees, each as described below:
•The Audit, Compliance and Valuation Committee reviews the integrity of the trusts’ financial reporting processes and compliance policies, procedures and processes, and the trusts’ overall system of internal controls. The Audit, Compliance and Valuation Committee also reviews and evaluates the qualifications, independence and performance of the trusts’ independent auditors, and the implementation and operation of the trusts’ valuation policy and procedures. This Committee is comprised of at least three independent trustees and currently has the following members: Kiran M. Patel (Chairman), Robert W. Burns, John F. Cogan and Kimberly S. Patmore. The Committee met 4 times during the most recent fiscal year.
•The Governance Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding trust governance-related matters, including but not limited to Board compensation practices, retirement policies and term limits, Board self-evaluations, the effectiveness and allocation of assignments and functions by the Board, the composition of Committees of the Board, and the training of Trustees. The Governance Committee is responsible for selecting and nominating candidates to serve as Trustees. The Governance Committee does not have a written policy with respect to consideration of candidates for Trustee submitted by shareholders. However, if the Governance Committee determined that it would be in the best interests of the trusts to fill a vacancy on the Board, and a shareholder submitted a candidate for consideration by the Board to fill the vacancy, the Governance Committee would evaluate that candidate in the same manner as it evaluates nominees identified by the Governance Committee. Nominee recommendations may be submitted to the Secretary of the trusts at the trusts’ principal business address. This Committee is comprised of at least three independent trustees and currently has the following members: John F. Cogan (Chairman), Stephen Timothy Kochis, David L. Mahoney and Joseph H. Wender. The Committee met 4 times during the most recent fiscal year.
•The Investment Oversight Committee reviews the investment activities of the trusts and the performance of the funds’ investment advisers. This Committee is comprised of at least three Trustees (at least two-thirds of whom shall be independent trustees) and currently has the following members: Gerald B. Smith (Chairman), Stephen Timothy Kochis, David L. Mahoney, Charles A. Ruffel and Joseph H. Wender. The Committee met 5 times during the most recent fiscal year.
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Trustee Compensation
The following table provides trustee compensation for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015.
Name of Trustee Aggregate Compensation
from:
Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued as Part
of Fund
Expenses
Total Compensation from
Fund Complex
  The Funds that are a
series of Schwab
Capital Trust
The Fund that is a
series of Schwab
Investments
   
Interested Trustees
Walter W. Bettinger II $0 $0 N/A $0
Marie A. Chandoha 1 $0 $0 N/A $0
Joseph R. Martinetto 1 $0 $0 N/A $0
Independent Trustees
Robert W. Burns 1 $0 $0 N/A $134,000
Mariann Byerwalter 2 $7,418 $2,343 N/A $77,000
John F. Cogan $27,957 $9,136 N/A $286,000
Stephen Timothy Kochis 1 $0 $0 N/A $124,000
David L. Mahoney $27,957 $9,136 N/A $286,000
Kiran M. Patel $29,323 $9,580 N/A $300,000
Kimberly S. Patmore 1 $0 $0 N/A $0
Charles A. Ruffel 3 $25,320 $8,361 N/A $389,959
Gerald B. Smith $29,323 $9,580 N/A $300,000
Joseph H. Wender $27,957 $9,136 N/A $286,000
1 Trustee joined the Board effective January 1, 2016.
2 Ms. Byerwalter resigned effective March 9, 2015.
3 Mr. Ruffel joined the Board effective February 6, 2015.
Securities Beneficially Owned by Each Trustee
The following table provides each trustee’s equity ownership of the funds and ownership of all registered investment companies overseen by each trustee in the Family of Investment Companies as of December 31, 2015.
Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Trustee Ownership of the Funds
Included in the SAI
Aggregate Dollar
Range of Trustee
Ownership in the
Family of Investment Companies
Interested Trustees
Walter W. Bettinger II Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund $ 1-$10,000
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund $1-$10,000
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund $1-$10,000
Over $100,000
Marie A. Chandoha 1 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund $10,001-50,000
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
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Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Trustee Ownership of the Funds
Included in the SAI
Aggregate Dollar
Range of Trustee
Ownership in the
Family of Investment Companies
Interested Trustees
Joseph R. Martinetto 1 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund $10,001-50,000
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
Independent Trustees
Robert W. Burns 1 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
John F. Cogan Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund Over $100,000
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
Stephen Timothy Kochis 1 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
David L. Mahoney Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
Kiran M. Patel Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
Kimberly S. Patmore 1 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
Charles A. Ruffel Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
Gerald B. Smith Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
Joseph H. Wender Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
Over $100,000
1 Trustee joined the Board effective January 1, 2016.
As of December 31, 2015, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities of CSIM or Schwab, or in a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or
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indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with CSIM or Schwab, except as follows: Kimberly S. Patmore may have been deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities issued by The Charles Schwab Corporation (CSC) as a result of beneficial ownership of common stock of CSC by an immediate family member and an estate planning entity. As of December 31, 2015, the holdings of CSC common stock had a market value of $6,274.56 and represented substantially less than one percent of the common stock of CSC. The securities were disposed of after December 31, 2015 and prior to the date of this SAI. CSC is the parent company of CSIM and Schwab.
Deferred Compensation Plan
Independent trustees may enter into a fee deferral plan. Under this plan, deferred fees will be credited to an account established by a trust as of the date that such fees would have been paid to the trustee. The value of this account will equal the value that the account would have if the fees credited to the account had been invested in the shares of Schwab Funds selected by the trustee. Currently, none of the Independent Trustees has elected to participate in this plan.
Code of Ethics
The funds, the investment adviser and Schwab have adopted a Code of Ethics as required under the 1940 Act. Subject to certain conditions or restrictions, the Code of Ethics permits the trustees, directors, officers or advisory representatives of the funds or the investment adviser or the directors or officers of Schwab to buy or sell directly or indirectly securities for their own accounts. This includes securities that may be purchased or held by the funds. Securities transactions by some of these individuals may be subject to prior approval of the investment adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer or alternate. Most securities transactions are subject to quarterly reporting and review requirements.
Control Persons And Principal Holders Of Securities
As of January 29, 2016, the officers and trustees of the trusts, as a group, owned of record directly or beneficially, less than 1% of the outstanding voting securities of each of the funds.
Persons who owned of record or beneficially more than 25% of a fund’s outstanding shares may be deemed to control the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Shareholders controlling the fund could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the fund on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of the fund.
As of February 1, 2016, Appendix Principal Holders of Securities, lists persons or entities that owned, of record or beneficially, more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of the funds.
Investment Advisory and Other Services
Investment Adviser
CSIM, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, serves as the funds’ investment adviser and administrator pursuant to an Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement (Advisory Agreement) between it and the trusts. Schwab is an affiliate of the investment adviser and is the trusts’s distributor. Charles R. Schwab is the founder, Chairman and Director of The Charles Schwab Corporation. As a result of his ownership of and interests in The Charles Schwab Corporation, Mr. Schwab may be deemed to be a controlling person of the investment adviser and Schwab.
Advisory Agreement
The continuation of a fund’s Advisory Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (1) by the vote of the trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the fund, and (2) by the vote of a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the investment advisory agreement or “interested persons” of any party (independent trustees), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
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Each year, the Board calls and holds a meeting to decide whether to renew the Advisory Agreement between the trusts and CSIM with respect to existing funds in the trusts. In preparation for the meeting, the Board requests and reviews a wide variety of materials provided by the funds’ investment adviser, as well as extensive data provided by third parties, and the Independent Trustees receive advice from counsel to the Independent Trustees.
As described below, the investment adviser is entitled to receive from each fund an annual fee, payable monthly, for its advisory and administrative services to each fund.
The table below sets forth the advisory fees paid by the funds to the investment adviser for the past three fiscal years or, if shorter, the period of the fund’s operations. The figures in the “net fees paid” row represent the actual amounts paid to the investment adviser, which include the effect of any reductions due to the application of a fund’s expense limitation (expense cap). The figures in the “gross fees reduced by” row represent the amount, if any, the advisory fees payable to the investment adviser were reduced due to the application of a fund’s expense cap.
The expense cap is not intended to cover all fund expenses, and a fund’s expenses may exceed the expense cap. For example, the expense cap does not cover investment-related expenses, such as brokerage commissions, interest, taxes and the fees and expenses of pooled investment vehicles, such as ETFs, REITs, and other investment companies, that are held by the funds, nor does it cover extraordinary or non-routine expenses, such as shareholder meeting costs.
Fund and Advisory Fee Schedule   2015 2014 2013 Expense Cap
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund

0.06% of the fund’s average daily net assets
Net fees paid: $12,725,323 $11,240,245 $8,610,499 0.09%
Gross fees
reduced by:
$24,898 $38,492 $268,898  
Schwab 1000 Index Fund

0.30% of the fund’s average daily net assets not in excess of $500 million, 0.22% of such net assets over $500 million but not in excess of $5 billion, 0.20% of such net assets over $5 billion but not in excess of $10 billion and 0.18% of such net assets over $10 billion.
Net fees paid: $11,944,591 $11,303,807 $9,543,783 0.29%
Gross fees
reduced by:
$2,678,956 $2,558,260 $2,483,335  
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund

0.15% of the fund’s average daily net assets
Net fees paid: $3,159,536 $2,943,857 $2,376,853 0.17%
Gross fees
reduced by:
$812,108 $810,721 $609,547  
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund

0.06% of the fund’s average daily net assets
Net fees paid: $1,671,593 $2,003,320 $1,371,848 0.09%
Gross fees
reduced by:
$952,626 $168,626 $204,765  
Schwab International Index Fund

0.15% of the fund’s average daily net assets
Net fees paid: $3,179,864 $2,856,596 $2,027,623 0.19%
Gross fees
reduced by:
$937,856 $837,489 $599,104  
Distributor
Pursuant to separate Second Amended and Restated Distribution Agreements between Schwab and each trust, Schwab, located at 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105, is the principal underwriter for shares of the funds and is the trusts’ agent for the purpose of the continuous offering of the funds’ shares. The funds pay for prospectuses and shareholder reports to be prepared and delivered to existing shareholders. Schwab pays such costs when the described materials are used in connection with the offering of shares to prospective investors and for supplemental sales literature and advertising. Schwab receives no fee under the Distribution Agreements.
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Shareholder Servicing Plan
Each trust’s Board has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan (the Plan) on behalf of the funds. The Plan enables these funds to bear expenses relating to the provision by financial intermediaries, including Schwab (together, service providers), of certain shareholder services to the current shareholders of the funds. Pursuant to the Plan, each fund is subject to an annual shareholder servicing fee, up to the amount set forth below:
Fund Shareholder Servicing Fee
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund 0.02%
Schwab 1000 Index Fund 0.10%
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund 0.02%
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund 0.02%
Schwab International Index Fund 0.02%
Pursuant to the Plan, the funds may pay service providers (including Schwab) that, pursuant to written agreements with Schwab or the trusts, provide certain account maintenance, customer liaison and shareholder services to fund shareholders. The service providers may provide fund shareholders with the following shareholder services, among other shareholder services: (i) maintaining records for shareholders that hold shares of a fund; (ii) communicating with shareholders, including the mailing of regular statements and confirmation statements, distributing fund-related materials, mailing prospectuses and reports to shareholders, and responding to shareholder inquiries; (iii) communicating and processing shareholder purchase, redemption and exchange orders; (iv) communicating mergers, splits or other reorganization activities to fund shareholders; and (v) preparing and filing tax information, returns and reports.
The shareholder servicing fee paid to a particular service provider is calculated at the annual rate set forth in the chart above and is based on the average daily net asset value of the fund shares owned by shareholders holding shares through such service provider. Payments under the Plan are made as described above without regard to whether the fee is more or less than the service provider’s actual cost of providing the services, and if more, such excess may be retained as profit by the service provider.
The Plan shall continue in effect for a fund for so long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the majority of both (i) the Board of the trusts and (ii) the Trustees of the trusts who are not interested persons of the trusts and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to it (the Qualified Trustees). The Plan requires that Schwab or any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the funds pursuant to the Plan furnish quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures to the Board of the trusts for review. All material amendments to the Plan must be approved by votes of the majority of both (i) the Board and (ii) the Qualified Trustees.
Transfer Agent
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS), 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-0953, serves as the funds’ transfer agent. As part of these services, the firm maintains records pertaining to the sale, redemption and transfer of the funds’ shares.
Custodians and Fund Accountant
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (BBH), 50 Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110 serves as custodian for the following funds:
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund
Schwab International Index Fund
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State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, serves as custodian for the following fund:
Schwab 1000 Index Fund
State Street also serves as fund accountant for each of the funds.
The custodians are responsible for the daily safekeeping of securities and cash held or sold by the funds. The fund accountant maintains all books and records related to the funds’ transactions.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111-4004, audits and reports on the annual financial statements of the funds and reviews certain regulatory reports and each fund’s federal income tax return. PwC also performs other professional, accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services when engaged to do so by the trusts.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Other Accounts. In addition to the funds, each portfolio manager (collectively referred to as the Portfolio Managers) is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below. The accounts listed below are not subject to a performance-based advisory fee. The information below is provided as of October 31, 2015.
Name Registered Investment
Companies
(this amount does not include the
funds in this SAI)
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number of
Accounts
Total Assets Number of
Accounts
Total
Assets
Number of
Accounts
Total Assets
Agnes Hong 24 $41,738,091,797 0 $0 0 $0
Ferian Juwono 18 $38,741,409,382 0 $0 0 $0
David Rios 1 $242,135,689 0 $0 0 $0
Conflicts of Interest. A Portfolio Manager’s management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his or her management of a fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts include separate accounts and other mutual funds advised by CSIM (collectively, the Other Managed Accounts). The Other Managed Accounts might have similar investment objectives as a fund, track the same index a fund tracks or otherwise hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased, or sold by a fund. While the Portfolio Managers’ management of Other Managed Accounts may give rise to the potential conflicts of interest listed below, CSIM does not believe that the conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, CSIM believes it has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to manage those conflicts in an appropriate way.
Knowledge of the Timing and Size of Fund Trades. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the Portfolio Managers’ day-to-day management of the funds. Because of their positions with the funds, the Portfolio Managers know the size, timing, and possible market impact of fund trades. It is theoretically possible that the Portfolio Managers could use this information to the advantage of the Other Managed Accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of a fund. However, CSIM has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time. Moreover, with respect to index funds, which seek to track their respective benchmark indexes, much of this information is publicly available. When it is determined to be in the best interest of both accounts, the Portfolio Managers may aggregate trade orders for the Other Managed Accounts, excluding separate accounts, with those of a fund. All aggregated orders are subject to CSIM’s aggregation and allocation policy and procedures, which provide, among other things, that (i) a Portfolio Manager will not aggregate
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orders unless he or she believes such aggregation is consistent with his or her duty to seek best execution; (ii) no account will be favored over any other account; (iii) each account that participates in an aggregated order will participate at the average security price with all transaction costs shared on a pro-rata basis; and (iv) if the aggregated order cannot be executed in full, the partial execution is allocated pro-rata among the participating accounts in accordance with the size of each account’s order.
Investment Opportunities. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the Portfolio Managers’ management of a fund and Other Managed Accounts which, in theory, may allow them to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors the Other Managed Accounts over a fund, which conflict of interest may be exacerbated to the extent that CSIM or the Portfolio Managers receive, or expect to receive, greater compensation from their management of the Other Managed Accounts than the fund. Notwithstanding this theoretical conflict of interest, it is CSIM’s policy to manage each account based on its investment objectives and related restrictions and, as discussed above, CSIM has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time and in a manner consistent with each account’s investment objectives and related restrictions. For example, while the Portfolio Managers may buy for an Other Managed Account securities that differ in identity or quantity from securities bought for a fund or refrain from purchasing securities for an Other Managed Account that they are otherwise buying for a fund in an effort to outperform its specific benchmark, such an approach might not be suitable for a fund given its investment objectives and related restrictions.
Compensation. During the most recent fiscal year, each Portfolio Manager’s compensation consisted of a fixed annual (base) salary and a discretionary bonus. The base salary is determined considering compensation payable for a similar position across the investment management industry and an evaluation of the individual Portfolio Manager’s overall performance such as the Portfolio Manager’s contribution to the investment process, good corporate citizenship, risk management and mitigation, and functioning as an active contributor to the firm’s success. The discretionary bonus is determined in accordance with the CSIM Equity and Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Incentive Plan (the Plan) as follows:
There are two independent funding components for the Plan:
•75% of the funding is based on equal weighting of Investment Fund Performance and Risk Management and Mitigation
•25% of the funding is based on Corporate results
Investment Fund Performance and Risk Management and Mitigation (75% weight)
Investment Fund Performance:
At the close of the year, each fund's performance will be determined by its 1-year, 1 and 2-year, or 1 and 3-year percentile standing (based on pre-tax return before expenses) within its designated benchmark, peer group, or category, depending on the strategy of the fund (i.e., whether the fund is passively or actively managed) using standard statistical methods approved by CSIM senior management. Investment Fund Performance measurements may be changed or modified at the discretion of the CSIM President and CSIM Chief Operating Officer. As each participant may manage and/or support a number of funds, there may be several funds considered in arriving at the incentive compensation funding.
Risk Management and Mitigation:
Risk Management and Mitigation will be rated by CSIM’s Chief Investment Officer, CSIM’s Head of Investment Risk, CSIM’s Chief Legal Officer, CSIM’s Chief Compliance Officer and CSIM’s Head of Operations Risk (or individuals with comparable responsibilities). Factors they will consider will include, but are not limited to:
•Balancing safety of fund principal with appropriate limits that provide investment flexibility given existing market conditions
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•Making timely sell recommendations to avoid significant deterioration of value resulting from the weakening condition of the issuer
•Escalating operating events and errors for prompt resolution
•Identifying largest risks and actively discussing with management
•Accurately validating fund information disseminated to the public (e.g., Annual and Semi-Annual reports, fund fact sheets, fund prospectus)
•Executing transactions timely and without material trade errors that result in losses to the funds
•Ensuring ongoing compliance with prospectus and investment policy guidelines
•Minimizing fund compliance exceptions
•Actively following up and resolving compliance exceptions
Corporate Performance (25% weight)
The Corporate Bonus Plan is an annual bonus plan that provides discretionary awards based on the financial performance of CSC during the annual performance period. Quarterly advances may be paid for the first three quarters. Allocations are discretionary and aligned with CSC and individual performance. Funding for the Plan is determined at the conclusion of the calendar year. Funding will be capped at 200% of target.
At year-end, the full-year funding for both components of the Plan will be pooled together. The total pool is allocated to Plan participants by CSIM senior management based on their assessment of a variety of performance factors.
Factors considered in CSIM senior management’s allocation process will include objective and subjective factors that will take into consideration total performance and will include, but are not limited to:
•Fund performance relative to performance measure
•Risk management and mitigation
•Individual performance against key objectives
•Contribution to overall group results
•Functioning as an active contributor to the firm’s success
•Team work
•Collaboration between Analysts and Portfolio Managers
•Regulatory/Compliance management.
The Portfolio Managers’ compensation is not based on the value of the assets held in a fund’s portfolio.
Ownership of Fund Shares. The following table shows the dollar amount range of the Portfolio Managers’ “beneficial ownership” of shares of the funds they manage as of October 31, 2015. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (1934 Act).
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Portfolio Manager Fund Dollar Range
Agnes Hong Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund $1-$10,000
Ferian Juwono Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund None
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund None
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund None
Schwab International Index Fund None
David Rios Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund $1-$10,000
Schwab 1000 Index Fund None
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund $1-$10,000
Brokerage Allocation And Other Practices
Portfolio Turnover
For reporting purposes, a fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the value of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year, whichever is less, by the monthly average value of portfolio securities the fund owned during the fiscal year. When making the calculation, all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less (short-term securities) are excluded.
A 100% portfolio turnover rate would occur, for example, if all portfolio securities (aside from short-term securities) were sold and either repurchased or replaced once during the fiscal year.
Typically, funds with high turnover (such as 100% or more) tend to generate higher capital gains and transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions.
Variations in turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, and/or changes in the investment adviser’s investment outlook.
The portfolio turnover rate for each of the funds for the past two fiscal years is as follows.
Fund 2015 2014
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund 2% 2%
Schwab 1000 Index Fund 4% 4%
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund 17% 12%
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund 2% 1%
Schwab International Index Fund 7% 2%
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The trusts’ Board has approved policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances regarding the disclosure of fund portfolio holdings information to shareholders and third parties. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that disclosure of information regarding the funds’ portfolio securities is in the best interests of fund shareholders, and include procedures to address conflicts between the interests of the funds’ shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the funds’ investment adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliated person of a fund, its investment adviser or its principal underwriter, on the other. Pursuant to such procedures, the Board has authorized the President of the trusts to authorize the release of the funds’ portfolio holdings prior to regular public disclosure (as outlined in the prospectus) or regular public filings, as necessary, in conformity with the foregoing principles.
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The Board exercises on-going oversight of the disclosure of fund portfolio holdings by overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the funds’ policies and procedures by the Chief Compliance Officer and by considering reports and recommendations by the Chief Compliance Officer concerning any material compliance matters. The Board will receive periodic updates, at least annually, regarding entities which were authorized to be provided “early disclosure” of the funds’ portfolio holdings information and will periodically review any agreements that the trusts have entered into to selectively disclose portfolio holdings.
A complete list of a fund’s portfolio holdings is published on the fund’s website at www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus, under “Portfolio Holdings”, as discussed in the fund’s prospectus, generally 15-20 days from the calendar quarter end for bond and equity funds. In addition, a list of the funds’ portfolio holdings as included in their semi-annual report filings is published on the website at www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus, under “Prospectuses & Reports”, typically 60-80 days after the end of a fund’s fiscal quarter. On the website, the funds also provide on a monthly or quarterly basis information regarding certain attributes of a fund’s portfolio, such as a fund’s top ten holdings, sector weightings, composition, credit quality and duration and maturity, as applicable. This information is generally updated within 5-25 days after the end of the period. This information on the website is publicly available to all categories of persons.
Each fund may disclose portfolio holdings information to certain persons and entities prior to and more frequently than the public disclosure of such information (early disclosure). The President of the trusts may authorize early disclosure of portfolio holdings information to such parties at differing times and/or with different lag times provided that (a) the President of the trusts determines that the disclosure is in the best interests of the funds and that there are no conflicts of interest between the funds’ shareholders and funds’ adviser and distributor; and (b) the recipient is, either by contractual agreement or otherwise by law, required to maintain the confidentiality of the information.
Portfolio holdings may be made available on a selective basis to ratings agencies, certain industry organizations, consultants and other qualified financial professionals when the President of the trusts determines such disclosure meets the requirements noted above and serves a legitimate business purpose. Agreements entered into with such entities will describe the permitted use of portfolio holdings and provide that, among other customary confidentiality provisions: (i) the portfolio holdings will be kept confidential; (ii) the person will not trade on the basis of any material non-public information; and (iii) the information will be used only for the purpose described in the agreement.
The funds’ service providers including, without limitation, the investment adviser, the distributor, the custodian, fund accountant, transfer agent, counsel, auditor, proxy voting service provider, pricing information vendors, trade execution measurement vendors, securities lending agents, publisher, printer and mailing agent may receive disclosure of portfolio holdings information as frequently as daily in connection with the services they perform for the funds. The names of those service providers to whom the funds selectively disclose portfolio holdings information will be disclosed in this SAI. CSIM, Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC, State Street and/or BBH, as service providers to the funds, are currently receiving this information on a daily basis. RR Donnelley, as a service provider to the funds, is currently receiving this information on a quarterly basis. PwC, BFDS and Schwab, as service providers to the funds, receive this information on an as-needed basis. Service providers are subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to any portfolio holdings information they receive whether imposed by the confidentiality provisions of the service providers’ agreements with the trusts or by the nature of its relationship with the trusts. Although certain of the service providers are not under formal confidentiality obligations in connection with disclosure of portfolio holdings, a fund will not continue to conduct business with a service provider who the fund believes is misusing the disclosed information.
To the extent that a fund invests in an ETF, the trusts will, in accordance with exemptive orders issued by the SEC to ETF sponsors and the procedures adopted by the Board, promptly notify the ETF in writing of any purchase or acquisition of shares of the ETF that causes the fund to hold (i) 5% or more of such ETF’s total outstanding voting securities, and (ii) 10% or more of such ETF’s total outstanding voting securities. In addition, CSIM will, upon causing a fund to acquire more than 3% of an open-end ETF’s outstanding shares, notify the open-end ETF of the investment.
The funds’ policies and procedures prohibit the funds, the funds’ investment adviser or any related party from receiving any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
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The funds may disclose non-material information including commentary and aggregate information about the characteristics of a fund in connection with or relating to a fund or its portfolio securities to any person if such disclosure is for a legitimate business purpose, such disclosure does not effectively result in the disclosure of the complete portfolio securities of any fund (which can only be disclosed in accordance with the above requirements), and such information does not constitute material non-public information. Such disclosure does not fall within the portfolio securities disclosure requirements outlined above.
Whether the information constitutes material non-public information will be made on a good faith determination, which involves an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. In most cases, commentary or analysis would be immaterial and would not convey any advantage to a recipient in making a decision concerning a fund. Commentary and analysis include, but are not limited to, the allocation of a fund’s portfolio securities and other investments among various asset classes, sectors, industries and countries, the characteristics of the stock components and other investments of a fund, the attribution of fund returns by asset class, sector, industry and country, and the volatility characteristics of a fund.
Portfolio Transactions
The investment adviser makes decisions with respect to the purchase and sale of portfolio securities on behalf of the funds. The investment adviser is responsible for implementing these decisions, including the negotiation of commissions and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. Purchases and sales of securities on a stock exchange or certain riskless principal transactions placed on NASDAQ are typically effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Purchases and sales of fixed income securities may be transacted with the issuer, the issuer’s underwriter, or a dealer. The funds do not usually pay brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fixed income securities, although the price of the securities generally includes compensation, in the form of a spread or a mark-up or mark-down, which is not disclosed separately. The prices the funds pay to underwriters of newly-issued securities usually include a commission paid by the issuer to the underwriter. Transactions placed through dealers who are serving as primary market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. The money market securities in which the funds may invest are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. It is expected that the cost of executing portfolio securities transactions of the funds will primarily consist of dealer spreads and brokerage commissions.
The investment adviser seeks to obtain the best execution for the funds’ portfolio transactions. The investment adviser may take a number of factors into account in selecting brokers or dealers to execute these transactions. Such factors may include, without limitation, the following: execution price; brokerage commission or dealer spread; size or type of the transaction; nature or character of the markets; clearance or settlement capability; reputation; financial strength and stability of the broker or dealer; efficiency of execution and error resolution; block trading capabilities; willingness to execute related or unrelated difficult transactions in the future; order of call; ability to facilitate short selling; provision of additional brokerage or research services or products; whether a broker guarantees that a fund will receive, on aggregate, prices at least as favorable as the closing prices on a given day when adherence to “market-on-close” pricing aligns with fund objectives; or whether a broker guarantees that a fund will receive the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) for a security for a given trading day (or portion thereof) when the investment adviser believes that VWAP execution is in a fund’s best interest. In addition, the investment adviser may have incentive sharing arrangements with certain unaffiliated brokers who guarantee market-on-close pricing: on a day when such a broker executes transactions at prices better, on aggregate, than market-on-close prices, that broker may receive, in addition to his or her standard commission, a portion of the net difference between the actual execution prices and corresponding market-on-close prices for that day.
The investment adviser may cause a fund to pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers or dealers in return for brokerage or research services or products if the investment adviser believes that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided. In addition to agency transactions, the investment adviser may receive brokerage and research services or products in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC and other regulatory guidelines. In both instances, these services or products may include: company financial data and economic data (e.g., unemployment, inflation rates and GDP figures), stock quotes, last sale prices and trading volumes, research reports analyzing the performance of a particular company or stock, narrowly distributed trade magazines or technical journals covering specific industries, products, or issuers,
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seminars or conferences registration fees which provide substantive content relating to eligible research, quantitative analytical software and software that provides analyses of securities portfolios, trading strategies and pre/post trade analytics, discussions with research analysts or meetings with corporate executives which provide a means of obtaining oral advice on securities, markets or particular issuers, short-term custody related to effecting particular transactions and clearance and settlement of those trades, lines between the broker-dealer and order management systems operated by a third party vendor, dedicated lines between the broker-dealer and the investment adviser’s order management system, dedicated lines providing direct dial-up service between the investment adviser and the trading desk at the broker-dealer, message services used to transmit orders to broker-dealers for execution, electronic communication of allocation instructions between institutions and broker-dealers, comparison services required by the SEC or another regulator (e.g., use of electronic confirmation and affirmation of institutional trades), exchange of messages among broker-dealers, custodians, and institutions related to a trade, post-trade matching of trade information, routing settlement instructions to custodian banks and broker-dealers’ clearing agents, software that provides algorithmic trading strategies, and trading software operated by a broker-dealer to route orders to market centers or direct market access systems. The investment adviser may use research services furnished by brokers or dealers in servicing all client accounts, and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions or spreads to the broker or dealer providing such services.
The investment adviser may receive a service from a broker or dealer that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the investment adviser will make a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions or spreads, while the investment adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the investment adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the investment adviser believes that the costs of such services may be appropriately allocated to their anticipated research and non-research uses.
The investment adviser may purchase for the funds, new issues of securities in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the investment adviser with research services, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations permitting these types of arrangements. Generally, the seller will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act.
The investment adviser may place orders directly with electronic communications networks or other alternative trading systems. Placing orders with electronic communications networks or other alternative trading systems may enable funds to trade directly with other institutional holders. At times, this may allow funds to trade larger blocks than would be possible trading through a single market maker.
The investment adviser may aggregate securities sales or purchases among two or more funds. The investment adviser will not aggregate transactions unless it believes such aggregation is consistent with its duty to seek best execution for each affected fund and is consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement for such fund. In any single transaction in which purchases and/or sales of securities of any issuer for the account of a fund are aggregated with other accounts managed by the investment adviser, the actual prices applicable to the transaction will be averaged among the accounts for which the transaction is effected, including the account of the fund.
In determining when and to what extent to use Schwab or any other affiliated broker-dealer as its broker for executing orders for the funds on securities exchanges, the investment adviser follows procedures, adopted by the funds’ Board, that are designed to ensure that affiliated brokerage commissions (if relevant) are reasonable and fair in comparison to unaffiliated brokerage commissions for comparable transactions. The Board reviews the procedures annually and approves and reviews transactions involving affiliated brokers quarterly.
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PROXY VOTING​
The Board has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to CSIM. The trustees have adopted CSIM’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures with respect to proxies voted on behalf of the various Schwab Funds portfolios. A description of CSIM’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures is included in Appendix Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures.
The trusts are required to disclose annually a fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. A fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 month period ended June 30th is available by visiting the Schwab website at www.csimfunds.com/schwabfunds_prospectus. A fund’s Form N-PX will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Brokerage Commissions
For each of the last three fiscal years, the funds paid the following brokerage commissions. Variances in brokerage commissions paid by a fund from year to year are due to increases and decreases in portfolio turnover in response to asset flows.
Funds 2015 2014 2013
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund $263,106 $143,968 $320,077
Schwab 1000 Index Fund $114,727 $100,144 $143,778
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund $206,030 $111,326 $116,295
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund $115,269 $109,955 $130,345
Schwab International Index Fund $212,961 $172,649 $135,367
Regular Broker-Dealers
A fund’s regular broker-dealers during its most recent fiscal year are: (1) the ten broker-dealers that received the greatest dollar amount of brokerage commissions from the fund; (2) the ten broker-dealers that engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of portfolio transactions; and (3) the ten broker-dealers that sold the largest dollar amount of the fund’s shares. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, certain of the funds held securities issued by their respective regular broker-dealers, as indicated below (as of October 31, 2015).
Fund Regular Broker-Dealer Value of Holdings
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund J.P. Morgan Securities LLC $399,070,654
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC $295,252,977
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. $205,182,669
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. $53,639,910
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. $42,803,720
State Street Bank & Trust Co. $32,914,794
Schwab 1000 Index Fund Wells Fargo Securities, LLC $79,423,163
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. $54,992,104
Goldman Sachs & Co. $23,706,000
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. $11,453,088
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. $10,766,144
Investment Technology Group, Inc. $884,793
KCG Americas, LLC $664,231
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Fund Regular Broker-Dealer Value of Holdings
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund Wells Fargo Securities, LLC $71,963,291
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC $46,745,923
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. $44,948,979
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. $34,434,255
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. $7,328,646
State Street Bank & Trust Co. $5,448,240
Stifel Nicolaus & Co., Inc. $523,608
Investment Technology Group, Inc. $128,881
Schwab International Index Fund HSBC Securities (USA), Inc. $34,023,230
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. $18,855,142
Banco Santander $17,860,836
UBS Securities LLC $16,282,261
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. $14,308,271
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. $14,194,432
Barclays Capital, Inc. $13,318,521
ING Capital Markets LLC $12,571,503
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. $11,970,769
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC $8,885,657
SG Americas Securities, LLC $7,457,478
DNB Markets, Inc. $6,614,885
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. $4,858,339
Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. $4,102,063
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken $3,614,715
RBS Securities, Inc. $3,587,712
Description Of The TRUSTS
Each fund, except the Schwab 1000 Index Fund, is a series of Schwab Capital Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 7, 1993. The Schwab 1000 Index Fund is a series of Schwab Investments, an open-end investment management company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 26, 1990.
The funds may hold special shareholder meetings, which may cause the funds to incur non-routine expenses. These meetings may be called for purposes such as electing trustees, changing fundamental policies and amending management contracts. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share owned and may vote by proxy or in person. Proxy materials will be mailed to shareholders prior to any meetings, and will include a voting card and information explaining the matters to be voted upon.
The bylaws of each trust provide that a majority of shares entitled to vote shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a shareholders’ meeting, except that where any provision of law, or of the Declaration of Trust or of the bylaws permits or requires that (1) holders of any series shall vote as a series, then a majority of the aggregate number of shares of that series entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that
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series, or (2) holders of any class shall vote as a class, then a majority of the aggregate number of shares of that class entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that class. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting, without the necessity of further notice. Each Declaration of Trust specifically authorizes the Board to terminate the trust (or any of its funds) by notice to the shareholders without shareholder approval.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the trust’s obligations. Each Declaration of Trust, however, disclaims shareholder liability for the trust’s acts or obligations and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the trust or the trustees. In addition, each Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the property of an investment portfolio in which a shareholder owns or owned shares for all losses and expenses of such shareholder or former shareholder if he or she is held personally liable for the obligations of the trust solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder. Moreover, each trust will be covered by insurance, which the trustees consider adequate to cover foreseeable tort claims. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered remote, because it is limited to circumstances in which a disclaimer is inoperative and the trust itself is unable to meet its obligations. There is a remote possibility that a fund could become liable for a misstatement in the prospectus or SAI about another fund.
As more fully described in each Declaration of Trust, the trustees may each year, or more frequently, distribute to the shareholders of each series accrued income less accrued expenses and any net realized capital gains less accrued expenses. Distributions of each year’s income of each series shall be distributed pro rata to shareholders in proportion to the number of shares of each series held by each of them. Distributions will be paid in cash or shares or a combination thereof as determined by the trustees. Distributions paid in shares will be paid at the net asset value as determined in accordance with the bylaws.
Any series of a trust may reorganize or merge with one or more other series of the trusts or of another investment company. Any such reorganization or merger shall be pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in an agreement and plan of reorganization authorized and approved by the trustees and entered into by the relevant series in connection therewith. In addition, such reorganization or merger may be authorized by vote of a majority of the trustees then in office and, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable Declaration of Trust, without the approval of shareholders of any series.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION, DELIVERY OF SHAREHOLDER
DOCUMENTS AND PRICING OF SHARES
Purchasing and Redeeming Shares of the Funds
The funds are open each day that the NYSE is open. The NYSE’s trading session is normally conducted from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, although some days, such as in advance of and following holidays, the NYSE’s trading session closes early. The following holiday closings are currently scheduled for 2016-2017: New Year’s Day (observed), Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day (observed). Only orders that are received in good order by a fund’s transfer agent no later than the time specified by the trust will be executed that day at the fund’s share price calculated that day. On any day that the NYSE closes early, the funds reserve the right to advance the time by which purchase, redemption and exchange orders must be received by the funds’ transfer agent that day in order to be executed that day at that day’s share price. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the funds reserve the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate their share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day.
The funds have authorized one or more brokers to accept on their behalf purchase and redemption orders. Such brokers have also been authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the funds’ behalf. The funds will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker
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or, if applicable, a broker’s authorized designee, receives such order. Such orders will be priced at the respective fund’s net asset value per share next determined after such orders are received by an authorized broker or the broker’s authorized designee.
As long as the funds or Schwab follow reasonable procedures to confirm that an investor’s telephone or internet order is genuine, they will not be liable for any losses the investor may experience due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include requiring a form of personal identification or other confirmation before acting upon any telephone or internet order, providing written confirmation of telephone or internet orders and tape recording all telephone orders.
Share certificates will not be issued in order to avoid additional administrative costs, however, share ownership records are maintained by Schwab, other authorized financial intermediaries or, for direct shareholders, by the funds’ transfer agent.
Each trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that shares may be automatically redeemed if held by a shareholder in an amount less than the minimum required by each fund. Each fund’s minimum initial investments and minimum balance requirements, if any, are set forth in the prospectus. The minimums may be changed without prior notice.
As explained in more detail in the funds’ prospectus, each fund that charges a redemption fee reserves the right to waive its early redemption fee for certain tax-advantaged retirement plans or charitable giving funds, certain fee-based or wrap programs, or in other circumstances when the funds’ officers determine that such a waiver is in the best interest of a fund and its shareholders.
Each of the funds has made an election with the SEC to pay in cash all redemptions requested by any shareholder of record limited in amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets at the beginning of such period. This election is irrevocable without the SEC’s prior approval. Redemption requests in excess of these limits may be paid, in whole or in part, in investment securities or in cash, as the Board may deem advisable. Payment will be made wholly in cash unless the Board believes that economic or market conditions exist that would make such payment a detriment to the best interests of a fund. If redemption proceeds are paid in investment securities, such securities will be valued as set forth in “Pricing of Shares.” A redeeming shareholder would normally incur transaction costs if he or she were to convert the securities to cash.
Each fund is designed for long-term investing. Because short-term trading activities can disrupt the smooth management of a fund and increase its expenses, each fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse any purchase or exchange order, or large purchase or exchange orders, including any purchase or exchange order which appears to be associated with short-term trading activities or “market timing.” Because market timing decisions to buy and sell securities typically are based on an individual investor’s market outlook, including such factors as the perceived strength of the economy or the anticipated direction of interest rates, it is difficult for a fund to determine in advance what purchase or exchange orders may be deemed to be associated with market timing or short-term trading activities. The funds and Schwab reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange order, including large orders that may negatively impact their operations. More information regarding the funds’ policies regarding “market timing” is included in the funds’ prospectus.
In certain circumstances, shares of a fund may be purchased “in kind” (i.e., in exchange for securities, rather than for cash). The securities tendered as part of an in-kind purchase must be liquid securities that are not restricted as to transfer and have a value that is readily ascertainable as evidenced by a listing on the American Stock Exchange, the NYSE, or NASDAQ. Securities accepted by the fund will be valued, as set forth in the fund’s prospectus, as of the time of the next determination of net asset value after such acceptance. The shares of the fund that are issued to the shareholder in exchange for the securities will be determined as of the same time. All dividend, subscription, or other rights that are reflected in the market price of accepted securities at the time of valuation become the property of the fund and must be delivered to the fund by the investor upon receipt from the issuer. A fund will not accept securities in exchange for its shares unless such securities are, at the time of the exchange, eligible to be held by the fund and satisfy such other conditions as may be imposed by the fund’s investment adviser.
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Exchanging Shares of the Funds
Methods to purchase and redeem shares of a fund are set forth in the funds’ prospectus. An exchange order involves the redemption of all or a portion of the shares of one Schwab Fund or Laudus MarketMasters Fund and the simultaneous purchase of shares of another Schwab Fund or Laudus MarketMasters Fund. Exchange orders must meet the minimum investment and any other requirements of the fund or class purchased. Exchange orders may not be executed between shares of Sweep Investments ® and shares of non-Sweep Investments. Shares of Sweep Investments may be bought and sold automatically pursuant to the terms and conditions of your Schwab account agreement or by direct order as long as you meet the minimums for direct investments. In addition, different exchange policies may apply to Schwab Funds ® that are bought and sold through third-party investment providers and the exchange privilege between Schwab Funds may not be available through third-party investment providers.
The funds and Schwab reserve certain rights with regard to exchanging shares of the funds. These rights include the right to: (i) refuse any purchase or exchange order that may negatively impact a fund’s operations; (ii) refuse orders that appear to be associated with short-term trading activities; and (iii) materially modify or terminate the exchange privilege upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents
Typically once a year, an updated prospectus will be mailed to shareholders describing each fund’s investment strategies, risks and shareholder policies. Twice a year, financial reports will be mailed to shareholders describing each fund’s performance and investment holdings. To eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents, each household may receive one copy of these documents, under certain conditions. This practice is commonly called “householding.” If you want to receive multiple copies, you may write or call your fund at the address or telephone number on the front of this SAI or contact the financial intermediary through which you hold fund shares. Your instructions will be effective within 30 days of receipt by a fund or other date as communicated by the financial intermediary.
Pricing of Shares
Each business day, the funds calculate their share price, net asset value per share or NAV, as of the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). This means that NAVs are calculated using the values of a fund’s portfolio securities as of the close of the NYSE. Such values are required to be determined in one of two ways: securities for which market quotations are readily available are required to be valued at current market value; and securities for which market quotations are not readily available or the investment adviser deems to be unreliable are required to be valued at fair value using procedures approved by the Board. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the funds reserve the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate their share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day.
Shareholders of funds that invest in foreign securities should be aware that because foreign markets are often open on weekends and other days when the funds are closed, the value of some of a fund’s securities may change on days when it is not possible to buy or sell shares of the fund. The funds use approved pricing sources to provide values for their portfolio securities. Current market values are generally determined by the approved pricing sources as follows: generally securities traded on exchanges, excluding the NASDAQ National Market System, are valued at the last-quoted sales price on the exchange on which such securities are primarily traded, or, lacking any sales, at the mean between the bid and ask prices; generally securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last reported sales price that day, or, if no sales are reported, at the mean between the bid and ask prices. Generally securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. In addition, securities that are primarily traded on foreign exchanges are generally valued at the official closing price or last sales price on the exchange where the securities are principally traded with these values then translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate. Fixed income securities normally are valued based on valuations provided by approved pricing sources. Securities may be fair valued pursuant to procedures approved by the funds’ Board when a security is de-listed or its trading is halted or suspended; when a security’s primary pricing
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source is unable or unwilling to provide a price; when a security’s primary trading market is closed during regular market hours; when a security’s value is materially affected by events occurring after the close of the security’s primary trading market; or a furnished price appears manifestly incorrect. The Board regularly reviews fair value determinations made by the funds pursuant to the procedures.
Taxation
This discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
Federal Tax Information for the Funds
It is each fund’s policy to qualify for taxation as a “regulated investment company” (RIC) by meeting the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. By qualifying as a RIC, each fund expects to eliminate or reduce to a nominal amount the federal income tax to which it is subject. If a fund does not qualify as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code, it will be subject to federal income tax on its net investment income and any net realized capital gains. In addition, each fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC.
Each fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes and is not combined with the trusts’ other funds. Each fund intends to qualify as a RIC so that it will be relieved of federal income tax on that part of its income that is distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify for treatment as a RIC, a fund must, among other requirements, distribute annually to its shareholders an amount at least equal to the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income plus the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt income. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a fund’s gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock or securities or currencies and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership; (ii) at the close of each quarter of a fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of a fund’s assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and (iii) at the close of each quarter of a fund’s taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses if the fund owns at least 20% of the voting power of such issuers, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
Certain master limited partnerships may qualify as “qualified publicly traded partnerships” for purposes of the Subchapter M diversification rules described above. In order to do so, the master limited partnership must satisfy two requirements during the taxable year. First, the interests of such partnership either must be traded on an established securities market or must be readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof). Second, less than 90% of the partnership’s gross income can consist of dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, or gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock securities or currencies.
The Internal Revenue Code imposes a non-deductible excise tax on RICs that do not distribute in a calendar year (regardless of whether they otherwise have a non-calendar taxable year) an amount equal to 98% of their “ordinary income” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) for the calendar year plus 98.2% of their net capital gain for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year, plus any undistributed amounts from prior years. The non-deductible excise tax is equal to 4% of the deficiency. For the foregoing purposes, a fund is treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year ending in such calendar year and certain amounts with respect to which estimated taxes are paid in such calendar year. A fund may in certain
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circumstances be required to liquidate fund investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid federal excise tax liability at a time when the investment adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so, and liquidation of investments in such circumstances may affect the ability of a fund to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a RIC.
A fund’s transactions in futures contracts, forward contracts, foreign currency exchange transactions, options and certain other investment and hedging activities may be restricted by the Internal Revenue Code and are subject to special tax rules. In a given case, these rules may accelerate income to a fund, defer its losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of a fund’s assets, convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses or otherwise affect the character of a fund’s income. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Each fund will endeavor to make any available elections pertaining to these transactions in a manner believed to be in the best interest of a fund and its shareholders.
Each fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Each fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the fund. It is anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered gain from the sale of securities and therefore will be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% requirement described above. Each fund distributes to shareholders at least annually any net capital gains which have been recognized for federal income tax purposes, including unrealized gains at the end of the fund’s fiscal year on futures or options transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions of capital gains realized on the fund’s other investments and shareholders are advised on the nature of the distributions.
With respect to investments in zero coupon or other securities which are sold at original issue discount and thus do not make periodic cash interest payments, a fund will be required to include as part of its current income the imputed interest on such obligations even though the fund has not received any corresponding interest payments on such obligations during that period. Because each fund distributes all of its net investment income to its shareholders, a fund may have to sell fund securities to distribute such imputed income which may occur at a time when the adviser would not have chosen to sell such securities and which may result in taxable gain or loss.
Federal Income Tax Information for Shareholders
The discussion of federal income taxation presented below supplements the discussion in each fund’s prospectus and only summarizes some of the important federal tax considerations generally affecting shareholders of the funds. Accordingly, prospective investors (particularly those not residing or domiciled in the United States) should consult their own tax advisors regarding the consequences of investing in the funds.
Any dividends declared by a fund in October, November or December and paid the following January are treated, for tax purposes, as if they were received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which they were declared. In general, distributions by a fund of investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gains), if any, whether received in cash or additional shares, will be taxable to you as ordinary income. A portion of these distributions may be treated as qualified dividend income (eligible for the reduced rates to individuals as described below) to the extent that a fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations (e.g., foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that (i) the shareholder has not held the shares of the fund on which the dividend was paid for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the date on which the shares of the fund become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (and the fund must also satisfy those holding period requirements with respect to the securities it holds that paid the dividends distributed to the shareholder), (ii) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property, or (iii) the shareholder elects to treat such
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dividend as investment income under section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. Dividends received by each fund from a REIT or another RIC may be treated as qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividend distributions are attributable to qualified dividend income received by such REIT or RIC. It is expected that dividends received by a fund from a REIT and distributed to a shareholder generally will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income.
Distributions from net capital gain (if any) that are reported as capital gains dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains without regard to the length of time the shareholder has held shares of a fund. However, if you receive a capital gains dividend with respect to fund shares held for six months or less, any loss on the sale or exchange of those shares shall, to the extent of the capital gains dividend, be treated as a long-term capital loss. The maximum individual rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” and long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the taxpayer’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses incurred by a fund in the taxable years after the effective enactment date, December 22, 2010, will not expire. However, such losses must be utilized prior to the losses incurred in the year preceding enactment. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Post-enactment capital losses arise in fiscal years beginning after the enactment date exclude any elective post-October capital losses deferred during the period from November 1 to the end of a fund’s fiscal year. In addition, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term losses rather than short-term as under previous law.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.
A fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at the time they are paid and will advise you of their tax status for federal income tax purposes, including what portion of the distributions will be qualified dividend income, shortly after the close of each calendar year. For corporate investors in a fund, dividend distributions the fund reports as dividends received from qualifying domestic corporations will be eligible for the 70% corporate dividends-received deduction to the extent they would qualify if the fund were a regular corporation. Distributions by a fund also may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes, and their treatment under applicable tax laws may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
A fund will be required in certain cases to withhold at the applicable withholding rate and remit to the U.S. Treasury the withheld amount of taxable dividends and redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who (1) fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number certified under penalty of perjury; (2) is subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly report all payments of interest or dividends; (3) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she is not subject to “backup withholding;” or (4) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s ultimate U.S. tax liability.
Foreign shareholders (i.e., nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower tax treaty rate) on distributions derived from net investment income and short-term capital gains; provided, however, that U.S. source interest related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally are not subject to U.S. withholding taxes if a fund elects to make reports with respect to such dividends. Distributions to foreign shareholders of such short-term capital gain dividends and long-term capital gains, and any gains from the sale or other disposition of shares of a fund, generally are not subject to U.S. taxation, unless the recipient is an individual who either (1) meets the Internal Revenue Code’s definition of “resident alien” or (2) is physically present in the U.S. for 183 days or more per year. Foreign shareholders may also be subject to U.S. estate taxes with respect to shares in a fund. Different tax consequences may result if the foreign shareholder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States. In addition, the tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty may be different than those described above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, income, if any, derived by a fund from investments in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate
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mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) may be classified as “excess inclusion income.” With respect to foreign shareholders, no exemption or reduction in withholding tax will apply to such excess inclusion income.
The funds are required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of dividends and (effective January 1, 2019) redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividend made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the funds to enable the funds to determine whether withholding is required.
Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k)s, and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income (UBTI). Under current law, each fund generally serves to block UBTI from being realized by their tax-exempt shareholders. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a fund where, for example, (i) the fund invests in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs or (ii) shares in the fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of section 514(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisors. There are no restrictions preventing a fund from holding investments in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs, and a fund may do so. The Internal Revenue Service has issued recent guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding these issues.
Income that the Schwab International Index Fund receives from sources within various foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. If a fund has more than 50% of its assets invested in foreign securities at the end of its taxable year, it may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the ability to take either the foreign tax credit or the deduction for foreign taxes. Pursuant to this election, U.S. shareholders must include in gross income, even though not actually received, their respective pro rata share of foreign taxes, and may either deduct their pro rata share of foreign taxes (but not for alternative minimum tax purposes) or credit the tax against U.S. income taxes, subject to certain limitations described in Internal Revenue Code sections 901 and 904. A shareholder who does not itemize deductions may not claim a deduction for foreign taxes. It is expected that the Schwab International Index Fund will have more than 50% of the value of its total assets at the close of its taxable year invested in foreign securities, and that it will make this election.
The Schwab International Index Fund may invest in a non-U.S. corporations, one or more of which could be treated as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) or become a PFIC under the Internal Revenue Code. This could result in adverse tax consequences upon the disposition of, or the receipt of “excess distributions” with respect to, such equity investments. To the extent a fund does invest in a PFIC, it may be eligible to elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” or mark-to-market its investments in PFICs annually. In either case, the fund may be required to distribute amounts in excess of realized income and gains. To the extent a fund does invest in foreign securities which are determined to be PFIC securities and is required to pay a tax on such investments, a credit for this tax would not be allowed to be passed through to the funds’ shareholders. Therefore, the payment of this tax would reduce a fund’s economic return from its PFIC shares, and excess distributions received with respect to such shares are treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains.
Section 988 of the Internal Revenue Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency transactions and instruments that may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized by a fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized by a fund with respect to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections may be available that would alter this treatment. Foreign currency losses could result in distributions of ordinary income being reclassified as a return of capital for tax purposes.
Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this
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reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC such as the fund are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the state and local tax rules affecting investments in the funds.
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APPENDIX PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Fund Customer Percent owned
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
FBO Customers
Attn: Schwab Funds Team N
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
93.72%
Charles Schwab Bank
Omnibus Account
FBO Same Day Exchange FSI2
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
24.02% 1
Schwab 1000 Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
FBO Customers
Attn: Schwab Funds Team N
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
95.94%
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
FBO Customers
Attn: Schwab Funds Team N
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
93.59%
Charles Schwab Bank
Omnibus Account
FBO Same Day Exchange FSI2
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
12.85% 1
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
FBO Customers
Attn: Schwab Funds Team N
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
94.87%
Schwab Charitable Fund
211 Main Street
San Francisco CA 94105
7.83% 1
Schwab International Index Fund Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
FBO Customers
Attn: Schwab Funds Team N
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
93.17%
Charles Schwab Bank
Omnibus Account
FBO Same Day Exchange FSI2
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
19.04% 1
1 These shares are held within the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. account listed elsewhere in the table.

 

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Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
The Charles Schwab Family of Funds
Schwab Investments
Schwab Capital Trust
Schwab Annuity Portfolios
Laudus Trust
Schwab Strategic Trust

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
AS OF MARCH, 2016

I. INTRODUCTION
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (“CSIM”), as an investment adviser, is generally responsible for voting proxies with respect to the securities held in accounts of investment companies and other clients for which it provides discretionary investment management services. CSIM’s Proxy Committee exercises and documents CSIM’s responsibility with regard to voting of client proxies (the “Proxy Committee”). The Proxy Committee is composed of representatives of CSIM’s Fund Administration, Portfolio Management, and Legal Departments, and chaired by CSIM’s Chief Investment Officer, Equities or his/her delegate. The Proxy Committee reviews and may amend periodically these policies. The policies stated in these Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the “Proxy Policies”) pertain to all of CSIM’s clients.
The Boards of Trustees (the “Board”) of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, and Schwab Annuity Portfolios (“Schwab Funds”), Laudus Trust (“Laudus Funds”) and Schwab Strategic Trust (“Schwab ETFs”; collectively with the Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds, the “Funds”) have delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to CSIM through their respective investment advisory agreements. The Board has adopted these Proxy Policies with respect to proxies voted on behalf of the various series of the Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds, and Schwab ETFs. CSIM will present amendments to the Board for approval. However, there may be circumstances where the Proxy Committee deems it advisable to amend these Proxy Policies between regular Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds and Schwab ETFs Board meetings. In such cases, the Board will be asked to ratify any changes at the next regular meeting of the Board.
To assist CSIM in its responsibility for voting proxies and the overall proxy voting process, CSIM has retained Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”) as an expert in the proxy voting and corporate governance area. The services provided by Glass Lewis include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations as well as vote execution, reporting and record keeping. CSIM may also retain additional experts in the proxy voting and corporate governance area.
The Proxy Committee has the ultimate responsibility for making the determination of how to vote the shares to seek to maximize the value of that particular holding.
II. PHILOSOPHY
CSIM believes that its role as a fiduciary is of utmost importance. In voting proxy ballots, CSIM’s ultimate objective is to maximize the value of our clients’ investments by protecting the long-term best interests of shareholders. CSIM believes that directors, as shareholders’ elected representatives, are best positioned to oversee the management of companies in which CSIM’s clients invest, thereby promoting and protecting its clients’ long-term interests. Therefore, CSIM will generally support a board of directors’ recommendations unless concerns arise, such as the board’s performance, accountability or management of conflicts of interests.

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CSIM invests on behalf of its clients in companies domiciled all over the world. Since corporate governance standards and best practices differ by country and jurisdiction, the market context is taken into account in the analysis of proposals. Furthermore, there are instances where CSIM may determine that voting is not in the best interests of its clients (typically due to costs or to trading restrictions) and will refrain from submitting votes.
III. PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
The Proxy Committee receives and reviews Glass Lewis’ written proxy voting policies and procedures (“Glass Lewis’ Proxy Policies”). Positions on proposals are evaluated by the Proxy Committee in the long-term best interests of shareholders. Below is a description of CSIM’s guidelines on key proposals for votes on U.S. and Canadian companies. In other circumstances, CSIM generally will utilize the Glass Lewis’ Proxy Policies (which are posted on the Funds’ website).
A. DIRECTORS AND AUDITORS
i. Directors
As a starting point, CSIM expects the board to be composed of a majority of independent directors and to be responsive to shareholders. CSIM also expects directors that serve on a company’s nominating, compensation or audit committee to be independent.
Factors that may result in a vote against one or more directors:
•   The board is not majority independent
•   Non-independent directors serve on the nominating, compensation or audit committees
•   Director recently failed to attend at least 75% of meetings or serves on an excessive number of publically traded company boards
•   Directors approved executive compensation schemes that appear misaligned with shareholders’ interests
•   Director recently acted in a manner inconsistent with these Proxy Policies or failed to be responsive to concerns of a majority of shareholders
ii. Auditors
CSIM typically supports the ratification of auditors unless CSIM believes that the auditors’ independence may have been compromised.
Factors that may result in a vote against the ratification of auditors:
•   Audit-related fees are less than half of the total fees paid by the company to the audit firm
•  A recent material restatement of annual financial statements
B. BOARD MATTERS
i. Classified Boards
CSIM generally defers to management’s recommendation for classified board proposals unless CSIM has particular concerns regarding the board’s accountability or responsiveness to shareholders.
Factors that may result in a vote supporting a shareholder proposal to de-classify a board:
•   The company did not implement a shareholder proposal that was passed by shareholders at two previous shareholder meetings
•   The company nominated directors for election that did not receive a majority of shareholder support at the previous shareholder meeting

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•   The company had material financial statement restatements
•   The company’s board adopted a shareholder rights plan (also known as a “Poison Pill”) during the past year and did not submit it to shareholders for approval
ii. Majority Voting
CSIM generally supports majority voting proposals when they call for plurality voting standards in contested elections.
iii. Cumulative Voting
CSIM typically supports the concept of voting rights being proportional to shareholders’ economic stake in the company. Therefore, CSIM will generally not support cumulative voting proposals unless the company has a controlling shareholder or shareholder group and has plurality voting standards.
iv. Proxy Access
CSIM typically does not support proxy access proposals unless CSIM has particular concerns regarding the board’s accountability or responsiveness to shareholders.
Factors that may result in a vote supporting proxy access:
•   The company did not implement a shareholder proposal that was passed by shareholders at two previous shareholder meetings
•   The company nominated directors for election that did not receive a majority of shareholder support at the previous shareholder meeting
•   The company had material financial statement restatements
•   The company’s board adopted a Poison Pill during the past year and did not submit it to shareholders for approval
v. Independent Chair
CSIM believes that the board is typically best positioned to determine its leadership structure. Therefore, CSIM will typically not support proposals requiring an independent chair unless CSIM has concerns regarding the board’s accountability or responsiveness to shareholders.
Factors that may result in a vote supporting a shareholder proposal requiring an independent chair:
•   The company did not implement a shareholder proposal that was passed by shareholders at two previous shareholder meetings
•   The company nominated directors for election that did not receive a majority of shareholder support at the previous shareholder meeting
•   The company had material financial statement restatements
•   The company’s board adopted a Poison Pill during the past year and did not submit it to shareholders for approval
C. COMPENSATION
i. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation and Frequency
CSIM generally supports advisory votes on executive compensation (also known as “Say-On-Pay”) when the compensation scheme appears aligned with shareholder economic interests and lacks problematic features.
Factors that may result in a vote against Say-On-Pay:

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•   Executive compensation is out of line with industry peers considering the company’s performance over time
•   Executive compensation plan includes significant guaranteed bonuses or has a low amount of compensation at risk
•   Executive compensation plan offers excessive perquisites, tax-gross up provisions, or golden parachutes
CSIM typically supports annual advisory votes on executive compensation.
ii. Equity Compensation Plans
CSIM generally supports stock-based compensation plans when they do not overly dilute shareholders by providing participants with excessive awards and lack problematic features.
Factors that may result in a vote against Equity Compensation Plans:
•   Plan’s total potential dilution appears excessive
•   Plan’s burn rate appears excessive compared to industry peers
•   Plan allows for the re-pricing of options without shareholder approval
•   Plan has an evergreen feature
iii. Employee Stock Purchase Plans
CSIM supports the concept of broad employee participation in a company’s equity. Therefore, CSIM typically supports employee stock purchase plans when the shares can be purchased at 85% or more of the shares’ market value.
iv. Re-price/Exchange Option Plans
CSIM generally only supports management’s proposals to re-price options when the plan excludes senior management and directors, does not excessively dilute shareholders, and the company has not significantly underperformed its industry peers over time.
D. ANTI-TAKEOVER
i. Shareholder Rights Plans (“Poison Pills”)
Poison Pills constrain a potential acquirer’s ability to buy shares in a company above a certain threshold without the approval of the company’s board of directors. While a Poison Pill may help a company in achieving a higher bid, it may also entrench the incumbent management and board. CSIM believes that shareholders should have the right to approve a Poison Pill within a year of its adoption. CSIM generally votes against Poison Pills that do not have safeguards to protect shareholder interests.
Factors that may result in a vote against Poison Pills:
•   Plan does not expire in a relatively short time horizon
•   Plan does not have a well-crafted permitted bid or qualified offer feature that mandates shareholder votes in certain situations
•   Plan automatically renews without shareholder approval
•   Company’s corporate governance profile
ii. Right to Call Special Meeting
CSIM generally votes against the right of shareholders to call a special meeting unless the threshold to call a special meeting is 25% or more of shares outstanding to avoid wasting corporate resources.

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iii. Right to Act by Written Consent
CSIM generally votes against the right of shareholders to act by written consent if the company already offers shareholders the right the call special meetings. CSIM expects appropriate mechanisms for implementation, including that the threshold to call a special meeting is 25% or more of shares outstanding.
iv. Supermajority Voting
CSIM generally supports the concept of simple majority standards to pass proposals.
E. CAPITAL STRUCTURE, MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
i. Increase in Authorized Common Shares
CSIM typically supports proposals to increase the authorized shares unless the company does not sufficiently justify the need for the use of the proposed shares.
ii. Preferred Shares
CSIM generally supports proposals to create a class of preferred shares with specific voting, dividend, conversion and other rights.
iii. Mergers and Acquisitions
CSIM generally supports transactions that appear to maximize shareholder value. In assessing the proposals, CSIM considers the proposed transaction’s strategic rationale, the offer premium, the board’s oversight of the sales process, and other pertinent factors.
F. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PROPOSALS
Environmental and Social shareholder proposals typically request companies to change their business practices or to enhance their disclosures. CSIM believes that in most instances, the board is best positioned to evaluate the impact of these proposals on the company’s business. Therefore, CSIM generally defers to the board’s recommendation unless the proposal has successfully articulated a demonstrable tangible economic impact on shareholder value.
i. Political Contribution Proposals
CSIM expects the board of directors to have an oversight process for political contributions and lobbying proposals. CSIM generally votes against political contribution shareholder proposals unless there is no evidence of board oversight.
IV. ADMINISTRATION
A. CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS
With respect to proxies of an underlying affiliated Fund, the Proxy Committee will vote such proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of such Fund (i.e., “echo vote”), unless otherwise required by law. When required by law or applicable exemptive order, the Proxy Committee will also “echo vote” proxies of an unaffiliated mutual fund or exchange traded fund (“ETF”). For example, certain exemptive orders issued to the Funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, require the Funds, under certain circumstances, to “echo vote” proxies of registered investment companies that serve as underlying investments of the Funds.

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In addition, with respect to holdings of The Charles Schwab Corporation (“CSC”) (ticker symbol: SCHW), the Proxy Committee will vote such proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of CSC (i.e., “echo vote”), unless otherwise required by law.
Other than proxies that will be “echo voted”, proxy issues that present material conflicts of interest between CSIM, and/or any of its affiliates, and CSIM’s clients will be delegated to Glass Lewis to be voted in accordance with CSIM’s Proxy Voting Guidelines.
B. FOREIGN SECURITIES/SHAREBLOCKING
CSIM has arrangements with Glass Lewis for the execution of proxy votes. However, voting proxies with respect to shares of foreign securities may involve significantly greater effort and corresponding cost than voting proxies with respect to domestic securities, due to the variety of regulatory schemes and corporate practices in foreign countries with respect to proxy voting. Problems voting foreign proxies may include the following:
•   proxy statements and ballots written in a foreign language;
•   untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder meetings;
•   restrictions of foreigner’s ability to exercise votes;
•   requirements to vote proxies in person;
•   requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate CSIM’s voting instructions.
In consideration of the foregoing issues, Glass Lewis uses its best efforts to vote foreign proxies. As part of its ongoing oversight, the Proxy Committee will monitor the voting of foreign proxies to determine whether all reasonable steps are taken to vote foreign proxies. If the Proxy Committee determines that the cost associated with the attempt to vote outweighs the potential benefits clients may derive from voting, the Proxy Committee may decide not to attempt to vote. In addition, certain foreign countries impose restrictions on the sale of securities for a period of time before and/or after the shareholder meeting. To avoid these trading restrictions, the Proxy Committee instructs Glass Lewis not to vote such foreign proxies.
C. SECURITIES LENDING
Certain of the Funds enter into securities lending arrangements with lending agents to generate additional revenue for their portfolios. In securities lending arrangements, any voting rights that accompany the loaned securities generally pass to the borrower of the securities, but the lender retains the right to recall a security and may then exercise the security’s voting rights. In order to vote the proxies of securities out on loan, the securities must be recalled prior to the established record date. CSIM will use its best efforts to recall a Fund’s securities on loan and vote such securities’ proxies if (a) the proxy relates to a special meeting of shareholders of the issuer (as opposed to the issuer's annual meeting of shareholders), or (b) the Fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the issuer. Further, it is CSIM's policy to use its best efforts to recall securities on loan and vote such securities’ proxies if CSIM determines that the proxies involve a material event affecting the loaned securities. CSIM may utilize third-party service providers to assist it in identifying and evaluating whether an event is material. CSIM may also recall securities on loan and vote such securities’ proxies in its discretion.
D. SUB-ADVISORY RELATIONSHIPS
Where CSIM has delegated day-to-day investment management responsibilities to an investment sub-adviser, CSIM may (but generally does not) delegate proxy voting responsibility to such investment sub-adviser. Each sub-adviser to whom proxy voting responsibility has been delegated will be required to review all proxy solicitation material and to exercise the voting rights associated with the securities it has been allocated in the best interest of each investment company and its shareholders, or other client. Prior to

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delegating the proxy voting responsibility, CSIM will review each sub-adviser’s proxy voting policy to determine whether it believes that each sub-adviser’s proxy voting policy is generally consistent with the maximization of the value of CSIM’s clients’ investments by protecting the long-term best interest of shareholders.
E. REPORTING AND RECORD RETENTION
CSIM will maintain, or cause Glass Lewis to maintain, records that identify the manner in which proxies have been voted (or not voted) on behalf of CSIM clients. CSIM will comply with all applicable rules and regulations regarding disclosure of its or its clients’ proxy voting records and procedures.
CSIM will retain all proxy voting materials and supporting documentation as required under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.

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Schwab Investments
PEA No. 126
Part C: Other Information
ITEM 28. EXHIBITS.
(a)(i) Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated October 25, 1990, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 22, filed December 31, 1997 (“PEA No. 22”).
   
(a)(ii) Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated August 29, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 65, filed September 14, 2006 (“PEA No. 65”).
   
(b) Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated November 16, 2004, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 56, filed February 25, 2005 (“PEA No. 56”).
   
(c)(i) Article III, Section 5, Article V, Article VI, Article VIII, Section 4 and Article IX, Sections 1, 5 and 7 of (a) the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of PEA No. 22, and (b) the Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated August 29, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) of PEA No. 65.
   
(c)(ii) Article 9 and Article 11 of the Amended and Restated By-Laws, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of PEA No. 56.
   
(d)(i) Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement between Registrant and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (the “Investment Adviser”), dated June 15, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(a) of PEA No. 22.
   
(d)(ii) Amendment, dated June 5, 2007, to the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement between Registrant and Investment Adviser, dated June 15, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75, filed November 14, 2007.
   
(d)(iii) Amended Schedules A and D, dated March 29, 2013, to the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement between Registrant and the Investment Adviser, dated June 15, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 112, filed December 12, 2013 (“PEA No. 112”).
   
(d)(iv) Expense Limitation Agreement, dated May 2, 2007, as amended July 1, 2009, among the Investment Adviser, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (“Schwab”), and the Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 81, filed November 13, 2009 (“PEA No. 81”).
   
(d)(v) Amended Schedule A, dated December 4, 2012, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, dated May 2, 2007, as amended July 1, 2009, June 15, 2011 and September 25, 2012, among Investment Adviser, Schwab and the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 103, filed December 14, 2012.
   
(e) Second Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Schwab, dated December 11, 2015, is filed herein as Exhibit (e).
   
(f) Inapplicable.
   
(g)(i) Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), dated October 17, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(xv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 60, filed November 14, 2005 (“PEA No. 60”).
   
(g)(ii) Custodian Agreement between Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., dated April 1, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 87, filed June 23, 2010.
   
(h)(i) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated July 1, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i) of PEA No. 81.
   
(h)(ii) Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan, dated December 11, 2015, is filed herein as Exhibit (h)(ii).
   
(h)(iii) Master Fund Accounting and Services Agreement between Registrant and State Street, dated October 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(xvi) of PEA No. 60.
   
(h)(iv) Amended Appendix A, dated January 20, 2016, to the Master Fund Accounting and Services Agreement between Registrant and State Street, dated October 1, 2005, is filed herein as Exhibit (h)(iv).
   
(i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel is filed herein as Exhibit (i).
   
(j)(i) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(i).
   

 

ITEM 28. EXHIBITS.
(j)(ii) Power of Attorney executed by Walter W. Bettinger, II, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(ii).
   
(j)(iii) Power of Attorney executed by Marie A. Chandoha, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(iii).
   
(j)(iv) Power of Attorney executed by Joseph R. Martinetto, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(iv).
   
(j)(v) Power of Attorney executed by Robert W. Burns, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(v).
   
(j)(vi) Power of Attorney executed by John F. Cogan, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(vi).
   
(j)(vii) Power of Attorney executed by Stephen T. Kochis, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(vii).
   
(j)(viii) Power of Attorney executed by David L. Mahoney, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(viii).
   
(j)(ix) Power of Attorney executed by Kiran M. Patel, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(ix).
   
(j)(x) Power of Attorney executed by Kimberly S. Patmore, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(x).
   
(j)(xi) Power of Attorney executed by Charles A. Ruffel, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(xi).
   
(j)(xii) Power of Attorney executed by Gerald B. Smith, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(xii).
   
(j)(xiii) Power of Attorney executed by Joseph H. Wender, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(xiii).
   
(j)(xiv) Power of Attorney executed by Mark D. Fischer, dated January 1, 2016, is filed herein as Exhibit (j)(xiv).
   
(k) Inapplicable.
   
(l) Inapplicable.
   
(m) Inapplicable.
   
(n) Inapplicable.
   
(o) Inapplicable.
   
(p) Registrant, Investment Adviser, and Schwab Code of Ethics, dated June 14, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p) of PEA No. 112.
Item 29.        Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the Registrant.
The Board of Trustees of the Registrant is identical to the boards of trustees of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Strategic Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, and Laudus Trust. Each such trust has Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. as its investment adviser. In addition, the officers of the Registrant are also identical to those of each such other trust, with the exception of the Chief Legal Officer and Secretary/Clerk. Certain of the trustees and officers of the Registrant also serve on the board of trustees or as officers of Laudus Institutional Trust, as applicable. As a result, the above-named trusts may be deemed to be under common control with the Registrant. Nonetheless, the Registrant takes the position that it is not under common control with such other trusts because the power residing in the respective trusts’ boards and officers arises as a result of an official position with each such trust.
Item 30.        Indemnification.
Article VIII of Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (Exhibit (a)(i) hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference) provides in effect that Registrant will indemnify its officers and trustees against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any such officer or trustee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit, or other proceeding. However, in accordance with Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of the 1940 Act and its own terms, said Agreement and Declaration of Trust does not protect any person against any liability to Registrant or its shareholders 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. In any event, Registrant will comply with 1940 Act Releases Nos. 7221 and 11330 respecting the permissible boundaries of indemnification by an investment company of its officers and trustees.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of 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, 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 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31.        Business and Other Connections of Investment Manager
Registrant’s investment adviser, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, organized in October 1989 to serve as investment manager to Registrant, also serves as the investment manager to The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Strategic Trust, and Laudus Trust, each an open-end management investment company. The principal place of business of the investment adviser is 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105. The only business in which the investment adviser engages is that of investment adviser and administrator to Registrant, The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios and Schwab Strategic Trust, investment adviser of Laudus Trust and any other investment companies that Schwab may sponsor in the future, and an investment adviser to certain non-investment company clients.
The business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each director and/or senior or executive officer of the Investment Adviser is or has been engaged during the past two fiscal years is listed below. The name of any company for which any director and/or senior or executive officer of the investment adviser serves as director, officer, employee, partner or trustee is also listed below.
Name and Position with Adviser   Name of Other Company   Capacity
Charles R. Schwab, Chairman and Director   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Chairman and Director
    The Charles Schwab Bank, N.A.   Chairman and Director
    The Charles Schwab Corporation   Chairman and Director
    Schwab Holdings, Inc.   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
    Schwab International Holdings, Inc.   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    Schwab (SIS) Holdings, Inc. I   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    Charles Schwab Foundation   Director
    JustAnswer Corp.   Director
    Museum of American Finance   Advisory Board
    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art   Board of Trustees
    Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation   Director
         
Marie Chandoha, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer   Schwab Funds   Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Laudus Funds   Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Schwab ETFs   Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds, plc   Director
    Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Limited   Director
         
Omar Aguilar, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Equities   Schwab Funds   Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Equities
    Laudus Funds   Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Equities
    Schwab ETFs   Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Equities
         
Brett Wander, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income   Schwab Funds   Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income

 

Name and Position with Adviser   Name of Other Company   Capacity
    Laudus Funds   Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income
    Schwab ETFs   Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income
         
David Lekich, Chief Counsel and Senior Vice President   Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel
    Schwab Funds   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
    Laudus Funds   Vice President and Assistant Clerk
    Schwab ETFs   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
         
Michael Hogan, Chief Compliance Officer   Schwab Funds   Chief Compliance Officer
    Schwab ETFs   Chief Compliance Officer
    Laudus Funds   Chief Compliance Officer
    Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
         
George Pereira, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer   Schwab Funds   Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
    Laudus Funds   Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
    Schwab ETFs   Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
    Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds, plc   Director
    Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Limited   Director
Item 32.        Principal Underwriters.
(a) Schwab acts as principal underwriter and distributor of Registrant’s shares. Schwab also acts as principal underwriter for The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios and may act as such for any other investment company which Schwab may sponsor in the future.
(b) Information with respect to Schwab’s directors and officers is as follows:
Name   Position and Offices with the Underwriter   Position and Offices with the Registrant
Charles R. Schwab   Chairman and Director   Chairman and Trustee
Walter W. Bettinger II   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director   Trustee
Steven H. Anderson   Executive Vice President, Schwab Retirement Plan Services   None
Ron Carter   Executive Vice President, Operational Services   None
Bernard J. Clark   Executive Vice President, and Head of Adviser Services   None
Jonathan M. Craig   Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer   None
Peter B. Crawford   Executive Vice President, Finance   None

 

Name   Position and Offices with the Underwriter   Position and Offices with the Registrant
David R. Garfield   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary   None
G. Andrew Gill   Executive Vice President, Client Solutions   None
Lisa Kidd Hunt   Executive Vice President, International Services and Business Development   None
Terri R. Kallsen   Executive Vice President, Investor Services   None
Joseph R. Martinetto   Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director   Trustee
James D. McCool   Executive Vice President, Corporate Initiatives   None
James F. McGuire   Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer   None
Nigel J. Murtagh   Executive Vice President, Corporate Risk   None
Leona Tang   Executive Vice President, Internal Audit   None
Martha D. Tuma   Executive Vice President, Human Resources   None
The principal business address of all directors and officers of Schwab is 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105.
(c) None.
Item 33.        Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained pursuant to Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of: Registrant and Registrant’s investment adviser and administrator, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105; Registrant’s principal underwriter, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105; Registrant’s custodian for the Schwab Global Real Estate Fund, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Registrant’s custodian for the balance of the Registrant’s funds, State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111; and Registrant’s transfer agent, Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., 2000 Crown Colony Drive Quincy Massachusetts, 02169.
Item 34.        Management Services.
Not applicable.
Item 35.        Undertakings.
Not applicable.


Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for the effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Washington in the District of Columbia, on the 24 th day of February, 2016.
SCHWAB INVESTMENTS
Registrant
 
Marie A. Chandoha*
Marie A. Chandoha, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated this 24 th day of February, 2016.
Signature   Title
Walter W. Bettinger II*

Walter W. Bettinger II
  Chairman and Trustee
Marie A. Chandoha*

Marie A. Chandoha
  Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
Joseph R. Martinetto*

Joseph R. Martinetto
  Trustee
Robert W. Burns*

Robert W. Burns
  Trustee
John F. Cogan*

John F. Cogan
  Trustee
Stephen Timothy Kochis*

Stephen Timothy Kochis
  Trustee
David L. Mahoney*

David L. Mahoney
  Trustee
Kiran M. Patel*

Kiran M. Patel
  Trustee
Kimberly S. Patmore*

Kimberly S. Patmore
  Trustee
Charles A. Ruffel*

Charles A. Ruffel
  Trustee
Gerald B. Smith*

Gerald B. Smith
  Trustee
Joseph H. Wender*

Joseph H. Wender
  Trustee

 

Signature   Title
Mark D. Fischer*

Mark D. Fischer
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
    
*By: /s/ Douglas P. Dick

Douglas P. Dick, Attorney-in-Fact
Pursuant to Power of Attorney


Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit (e) Second Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement
Exhibit (h)(ii) Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan
Exhibit (h)(iv) Amended Appendix A to the Master Fund Accounting and Services Agreement
Exhibit (i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel
Exhibit (j)(i) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Exhibit (j)(ii) Power of Attorney executed by Walter W. Bettinger, II
Exhibit (j)(iii) Power of Attorney executed by Marie A. Chandoha
Exhibit (j)(iv) Power of Attorney executed by Joseph R. Martinetto
Exhibit (j)(v) Power of Attorney executed by Robert W. Burns
Exhibit (j)(vi) Power of Attorney executed by John F. Cogan
Exhibit (j)(vii) Power of Attorney executed by Stephen T. Kochis
Exhibit (j)(viii) Power of Attorney executed by David L. Mahoney
Exhibit (j)(ix) Power of Attorney executed by Kiran M. Patel
Exhibit (j)(x) Power of Attorney executed by Kimberly S. Patmore
Exhibit (j)(xi) Power of Attorney executed by Charles A. Ruffel
Exhibit (j)(xii) Power of Attorney executed by Gerald B. Smith
Exhibit (j)(xiii) Power of Attorney executed by Joseph H. Wender
Exhibit (j)(xiv) Power of Attorney executed by Mark D. Fischer
   

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

December 11, 2015

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

211 Main Street

San Francisco, California 94105

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This is to confirm that, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter contained, the undersigned, SCHWAB INVESTMENTS (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust, has agreed that CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. (the “Distributor”), a corporation organized under the laws of California shall be, for the period of this Agreement, the distributor of the units of beneficial interest of the investment portfolios of the Trust identified on Schedule A hereto (each a “Fund”, and collectively, the “Funds”) and that, at the request of the Trust and pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan (the “Plan”) adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Distributor may facilitate payments to service providers who provide services to shareholders of the Trust (“Clients”) who purchase shares of the Funds. Such units of beneficial interest are hereinafter called “Shares.”

1. Services as Distributor .

1.1. Distributor will act as agent for the distribution of the Shares covered by the registration statement and prospectus of the Trust in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

1.2. Distributor agrees to use appropriate efforts to solicit orders for the sale of the Shares and will undertake such advertising and promotion as it believes reasonable in connection with such solicitation. The Trust understands that Distributor may, in the future, be the distributor of the shares of several investment companies or series (together, “Companies”), including Companies having investment objectives similar to those of the Trust. The Trust further understands that investors and potential investors in the Trust may invest in shares of such other Companies. The Trust agrees that Distributor’s duties to such Companies shall not be deemed to be in conflict with its duties to the Trust under this paragraph 1.2.

Distributor shall, at its own expense, finance appropriate activities which it deems reasonable which are primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, advertising, compensation of underwriters, dealers and sales personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature.

1.3. All activities by Distributor and its partners, agents, and employees as distributor of the Shares shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

1


1.4. Distributor will provide one or more persons, during normal business hours, to respond to telephone questions with respect to the Trust.

1.5. Distributor will transmit any orders received by it for purchase or redemption of the Shares to the transfer agent and custodian for the Funds.

1.6. Whenever in their judgment such action is warranted by unusual market, economic or political conditions, or by abnormal circumstances of any kind, the Trust’s officers may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of the Shares until such time as those officers deem it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales.

1.7. Distributor will act only on its own behalf as principal if it chooses to enter into selling agreements with selected dealers or others.

1.8. The Trust agrees at its own expense to execute any and all documents and to furnish any and all information and otherwise to take all actions that may be reasonably necessary in connection with the qualification of the Shares for sale in such states as Distributor may designate.

1.9. The Trust shall furnish from time to time, for use in connection with the sale of the Shares, such information with respect to the Funds and the Shares as Distributor may reasonably request; and the Trust warrants that the statements contained in any such information shall fairly show or represent what they purport to show or represent. The Trust shall also furnish Distributor upon request with: (a) unaudited semi-annual statements of the Funds’ books and accounts prepared by the Trust, (b) quarterly earnings statements prepared by the Trust, (c) a monthly itemized list of the securities in the Funds, (d) monthly balance sheets as soon as practicable after the end of each month, and (e) from time to time such additional information regarding the financial condition of the Funds as Distributor may reasonably request.

1.10. The Trust represents to Distributor that all registration statements and prospectuses filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Shares have been carefully prepared in conformity with the requirements of said Act and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. As used in this agreement the terms “registration statement” and “prospectus” shall mean any registration statement and any prospectus and Statement of Additional Information relating to the Funds filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been filed with the same Commission. The Trust represents and warrants to Distributor that any registration statement and prospectus, when such registration statement becomes effective, will contain all statements required to be stated therein in conformity with said Act and the rules and regulations of said Commission; that all statements of fact contained in any such registration statement and prospectus will be true and correct when such registration statement becomes effective; and that neither any registration statement nor any prospectus when such registration statement becomes

 

2


effective will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of the Shares. The Distributor may but shall not be obligated to propose from time to time such amendment or amendments to any registration statement and such supplement or supplements to any prospectus as, in the light of future developments, may, in the opinion of the Distributor’s counsel, be necessary or advisable. If the Trust shall not propose such amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements within fifteen days after receipt by the Trust of a written request from Distributor to do so, Distributor may, at its option, terminate this agreement. The Trust shall not file any amendment to any registration statement or supplement to any prospectus without giving Distributor reasonable notice thereof in advance; provided, however, that nothing contained in this agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to any prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

1.11. The Trust authorizes Distributor and dealers to use any prospectus in the form furnished from time to time in connection with the sale of the Shares. The Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Distributor, its directors, officers and employees, and any person who controls Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which Distributor, its partners and employees, or any such controlling person, may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained in any registration statement or any prospectus or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in either any registration statement or any prospectus or necessary to make the statements in either thereof not misleading; provided, however, that the Trust’s agreement to indemnify Distributor, its directors, officers or employees, and any such controlling person shall not be deemed to cover any claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arising out of any statements or representations as are contained in any prospectus and in such financial and other statements as are furnished in writing to the Trust by Distributor and used in the answers to the registration statement or in the corresponding statements made in the prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with the giving of such information required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make the answers not misleading; and further provided that the Trust’s agreement to indemnify Distributor and the Trust’s representations and warranties hereinbefore set forth in paragraph 1.10 shall not be deemed to cover any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which Distributor would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this agreement. The Trust’s agreement to indemnify Distributor, its partners and employees, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Trust’s being notified of any action brought against Distributor, its directors, officers or employees, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter or by telegram addressed to the Trust at its principal office in San Francisco, California and sent to the Trust by the person against whom such action is brought, within 10 days after the summons or other first

 

3


legal process shall have been served. The failure to so notify the Trust of any such action shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which the Trust may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue, or allegedly untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Trust’s indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph 1.11. The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Trust and approved by Distributor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved by Distributor, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case Distributor reasonably does not approve of counsel chosen by the Trust, the Trust will reimburse Distributor, its directors, officers and employees, or the controlling person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by Distributor or them. The Trust’s indemnification agreement contained in this paragraph 1.11 and the Trust’s 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 Distributor, its partners and employees, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to Distributor’s benefit, to the benefit of its several partners and employees, and their respective estates, and to the benefit of the controlling persons and their successors. The Trust agrees promptly to notify Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or Trustees in connection with the issue and sale of any Shares.

1.12. Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several officers and Trustees and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its officers or Trustees or any such controlling person, may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust, its officers or Trustees or such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands, shall arise out of or be based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished in writing by Distributor to the Trust and used in the answers to any of the items of the registration statement or in the corresponding statements made in the prospectus, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by Distributor to the Trust required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading. Distributor’s agreement to indemnify the Trust, its officers and Trustees, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon Distributor’s being notified of any action brought against the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter or telegram addressed to Distributor at its principal office in San Francisco, California and sent to Distributor by the person against whom such action is brought, within 10 days after the summons or other first legal process shall have been served. Distributor shall have the right of first control of the defense of such action, with counsel of its own choosing, satisfactory to the Trust, if such action

 

4


is based solely upon such alleged misstatement or omission on Distributor’s part, and in any other event the Trust, its officers or Trustees or such controlling person shall each have the right to participate in the defense or preparation of the defense of any such action. The failure to so notify Distributor of any such action shall not relieve Distributor from any liability which Distributor may have to the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or to such controlling person by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of Distributor’s indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph 1.12.

1.13. No Shares shall be offered by either Distributor or the Trust under any of the provisions of this agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or if and so long as a current prospectus as required by Section 10(b)(2) of said Act, as amended, is not on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph 1.13 shall in any way restrict or have an application to or bearing upon the Trust’s obligation to repurchase Shares from any Shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Trust’s prospectus, Declaration of Trust, or By-laws.

1.14. The Trust agrees to advise Distributor as soon as reasonably practical by a notice in writing delivered to Distributor or its counsel:

(a) of any request by the Securities and Exchange Commission for amendments to the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or for additional information;

(b) in the event of the issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or the initiation by service of process on the Trust of any proceeding for that purpose;

(c) of the happening of any event that makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or which requires the making of a change in such registration statement or prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and

(d) of all action of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to any amendment to any registration statement or prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall not be deemed actions of or requests by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

1.15. Distributor agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other information relative to the Trust and its prior, present or potential Shareholders, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties

 

5


hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Distributor may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust.

1.16. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

2. Reserved.

3. Issuance of Shares .

The Trust reserves the right to issue, transfer or sell Shares of the Funds at net asset value (a) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the Trust or the Funds with any other investment company or the acquisition by the Trust or the Funds of all or substantially all of the assets or of the outstanding Shares of any other investment company; (b) in connection with a pro rata distribution directly to the holders of Shares of a Fund in the nature of a stock dividend or split; (c) upon the exercise of subscription rights granted to the holders of Shares of a Fund on a pro rata basis; (d) in connection with the issuance of Shares of a Fund pursuant to any exchange and reinvestment privileges described in any then-current prospectus of a Fund; and (e) otherwise in accordance with any then-current prospectus of the Funds.

4. Term and Matters Relating to the Trust as a Massachusetts Business Trust.

This agreement shall become effective as to the Trust on December 11, 2015 and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue until July 1, 2016, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive one-year periods ending on July 1 of each successive year; provided, however, that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Trust’s Board of Trustees or (ii) by “vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares” (as defined below) of the Trust, and provided further, that in either event the continuance is also approved at least annually by the majority of the Trust’s Trustees who are not parties to the agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This agreement is terminable on not less than sixty days’ notice by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, by “vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares” (as defined below) of the Trust or by Distributor. This agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares” shall mean the approval, at a meeting of Shareholders duly called, of the lesser of (i) the holders of 67% or more of the votes present at any such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding votes are present or represented by proxy thereat; or (ii) the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding votes.

The names “Schwab Investments” and “Trustees of Schwab Investments” refer respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of Trust dated as of October 25, 1989 to which reference is hereby made and a copy of which is on file at the office of the Secretary of State of

 

6


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and elsewhere as required by law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The obligations of “Schwab Investments” entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, Shareholders or representatives of the Trust personally, but bind only the assets of the Trust, and all persons dealing with any series of Shares of the Trust must look solely to the assets of the Trust belonging to such series for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.

5. Severability .

If any provision of this Agreement is found by a court or agency of competent jurisdiction to be in violation of any state or federal law, rule or regulation, then the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the enforceability or validity of the remaining provisions.

 

7


Please confirm that the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding by indicating your acceptance hereof at the place below indicated, whereupon it shall become a binding agreement between us.

Yours very truly,

 

Schwab Investments
By:   /s/ George Pereira
Name:   George Pereira
Title:   Treasurer

Accepted:

 

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
By:   /s/ John Sturiale
Name:   John Sturiale
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

8


SCHEDULE A

TO THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN SCHWAB INVESTMENTS AND

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.

 

Fund

  

Effective Date

Schwab 1000 Index Fund

   April 2, 1991

Schwab Short-Term Bond Market Fund

   November 4, 1991

Schwab California Tax-Free Bond Fund

   February 20, 1992

Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund

   July 30, 1992

Schwab Total Bond Market Fund

   March 1, 1993

Schwab GNMA Fund

   January 27, 2003

Schwab Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Index Fund

   January 21, 2006

Schwab Global Real Estate Fund

   February 28, 2007

Schwab Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

   September 19, 2007

 

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS     CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
By:   /s/ George Pereira     By:   /s/ John Sturiale
Name:   George Pereira     Name:   John Sturiale
Title:   Treasurer     Title:   Senior Vice President

Dated as of: December 11, 2015

 

9

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan

WHEREAS, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Investments (each a “Trust” and, together, the “Trusts”) are open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and the Trusts desire to compensate service providers who provide the services described in Section 2 herein (the “Services”) to their clients (“Clients”) who own of record or beneficially shares of any fund of the Trusts (“Shares”) set forth in Schedule A hereto (each a “Fund” and, together, the “Funds”);

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trusts have determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, that there is a reasonable likelihood that the following Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit the Funds of the Trusts and Clients who own Shares of the Funds; and

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trusts adopt the Plan under which the Trusts or the principal underwriter to the Trusts (the “Distributor”), as agent for the Trusts, may make payments to service providers who provide some or all of the Services to such Clients.

NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees of the Trusts hereby adopt this Plan.

Section 1. The Trusts have adopted this Plan to enable the Trusts to directly or indirectly through the Distributor bear expenses relating to providing shareholder services as provided herein.

Section 2 . The Trusts may pay, and may appoint the Distributor as their agent to pay on their behalf, a fee in an amount up to the amounts specified in Schedule A to this Plan, with respect to the average daily net asset value of Shares owned of record or beneficially by Clients of service providers with whom the Distributor has entered into written agreements pursuant to which the service providers agree to provide services described in this Section 2. The services for which this fee may be paid include account maintenance and customer liaison services provided to Clients who own Shares of a Fund, and may also include, but are not limited to, the following shareholder services:

1. Record Maintenance. Maintaining records for each Client holding Shares of a Fund that include the following information:

 

  a. Number of Shares;

 

  b. Date, price and amount of purchases and redemptions (including dividend reinvestments) and dates and amounts of dividends paid for at least the current year to date;

 

  c. Name and address of the Client, including zip codes and social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers;

 

  d. Records of distributions and dividend payments;

 

  e. Any transfers of shares; and

 

  f. Overall control records.

2. Shareholder Communications

 

  a. Providing the names and addresses of all Clients who hold shares of a Fund to a shareholder mailing agent for the purpose of mailing certain Fund-related materials (such as updated prospectuses and any supplements and amendments thereto, annual and other periodic reports, proxy or information statements, and other appropriate shareholder communications);


  b. Distributing Fund-related materials (such as updated prospectuses and any supplements and amendments thereto, annual and other periodic reports, proxy or information statements, and other appropriate shareholder communications) directly to Clients;

 

  c. Mailing current Fund prospectuses, statements of additional information, and annual and other periodic reports to Clients upon request and, as applicable, with confirmation statements;

 

  d. Mailing statements to Clients on a regular basis showing, among other things, the number of Shares of each Fund owned by the Client and the net asset value of such Fund as of a recent date;

 

  e. Producing and mailing to Clients confirmation statements reflecting purchases and redemptions of Shares; and

 

  f. Responding to Client inquiries regarding, among other things, share prices, account balances, dividend amounts and dividend payment dates, both by telephone and in writing, as appropriate.

3. Transactional Services

 

  a. Communicating and processing purchase, redemption and exchange orders from Clients; and

 

  b. Communicating mergers, splits or other reorganization activities to Clients;

4. Tax Information Returns and Reports. Preparing and filing such information, returns and reports as are required to be filed with appropriate governmental agencies for reporting (i) dividends and other distributions made; (ii) amounts withheld on dividends and other distributions and payments under applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations; and (iii) gross proceeds of sales transactions as required.

Section 3. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to any Fund until it has been approved together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trusts and (ii) the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 8 herein), at a meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Section 4. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect, only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 3 herein for the approval of this Plan.

Section 5. During the existence of this Plan, the Distributor or any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trusts pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trusts, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made with respect to each Fund, and shall furnish the Board of Trustees of the Trusts with such other information as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request in connection with payments made under the Plan.


Section 6. This Plan may be terminated at any time, with respect to Shares of any Fund listed in Schedule A, without payment of any penalty, at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees as defined in Section 8 herein.

Section 7. All agreements with any person relating to the implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 8 herein), on not more than 60 days’ written notice to any other party to the agreement.

Section 8. As used in this Plan, (a) the term “Qualified Trustees” shall mean those Trustees of a Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Section 9. This Plan shall not obligate the Trusts or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.

Section 10. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees, provided that any material amendment of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval in the manner provided in Section 3 herein.

Section 11. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder and Trustee liability as set forth in the Trusts’ Declaration of Trust, any obligations assumed by a Trust, a Fund or class thereof pursuant to this Plan and any agreements related to this Plan shall be limited in all cases to the proportionate ownership of the Class of the affected Fund and its assets, and shall not constitute obligations of any shareholder of any other class of the affected Fund or Funds of the Trusts or of any Trustee.

Section 12. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.

Dated: December 11, 2015


SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

Schedule A

to the Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan

dated December 11, 2015

Schwab Capital Trust

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Service Fee

Schwab Large-Cap Growth Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Core Equity Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Dividend Equity Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Small-Cap Equity Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Hedged Equity Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Financial Services Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Health Care Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Balanced Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab International Core Equity Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2010 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2015 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2020 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2025 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2030 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2035 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets


Schwab Target 2040 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of two one-hundredths of one percent (0.02%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of two one-hundredths of one percent (0.02%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of two one-hundredths of one percent (0.02%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab International Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of two one-hundredths of one percent (0.02%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab MarketTrack All Equity Portfolio – Investor Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab MarketTrack Growth Portfolio – Investor Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio – Investor Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio – Investor Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Laudus Small-Cap MarketMasters Fund – Investor Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Laudus Small-Cap MarketMasters Fund – Select Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty one-hundredths of one percent (0.20%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Laudus International MarketMasters Fund – Investor Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Laudus International MarketMasters Fund – Select Shares    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty one-hundredths of one percent (0.20%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets


Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Monthly Income Fund – Moderate Payout    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Monthly Income Fund – Enhanced Payout    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Monthly Income Fund – Maximum Payout    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2045 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2050 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Target 2055 Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of zero percent (0.00%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets

Schwab Investments

 

Fund

  

Shareholder Service Fee

Schwab Short-Term Bond Market Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Total Bond Market Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab GNMA Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Intermediate-Term Bond Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab California Tax-Free Bond Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab 1000 Index Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets
Schwab Global Real Estate Fund    An annual fee, payable monthly, of twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets

APPENDIX A

TO

MASTER FUND ACCOUNTING AND SERVICES AGREEMENT

As of January 20, 2016

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND PORTFOLIOS THEREOF, IF ANY

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

Schwab Money Market Fund

Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund

Schwab Retirement Advantage Money Fund

Schwab Investor Money Fund

Schwab Government Money Fund

Schwab U.S. Treasury Money Fund

Schwab Municipal Money Fund

Schwab California Municipal Money Fund

Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund ( formerly Schwab New York AMT Tax-Free Money Fund )

Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund (formerly Florida Muni Money Fund)

Schwab Massachusetts Municipal Money Fund ( formerly Schwab Massachusetts AMT Tax-Free Money Fund )

Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund

Schwab New Jersey Municipal Money Fund ( formerly Schwab New Jersey AMT Tax-Free Money Fund )

Schwab Cash Reserves

Schwab Advisor Cash Reserves

Schwab Treasury Obligations Money Fund

Schwab Variable Share Price Money Fund

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

Schwab 1000 Index Fund

Schwab Short-Term Bond Market Fund

Schwab Total Bond Market Fund

Schwab GNMA Fund

Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund

Schwab California Tax-Free Bond Fund

Schwab Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Index Fund ( formerly Schwab Inflation Protected Fund )

Schwab Intermediate-Term Bond Fund ( formerly Schwab Premier Income Fund )

Schwab Global Real Estate Fund

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

Schwab International Index Fund

Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund

Schwab MarketTrack Growth Portfolio

Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio

Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio

Schwab MarketTrack All Equity Portfolio

Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund

Schwab Dividend Equity Fund

Schwab Small-Cap Equity Fund

Schwab Large-Cap Growth Fund

Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund

Schwab Financial Services Fund

Schwab Health Care Fund

Schwab Target 2010 Fund

Schwab Target 2015 Fund

Schwab Target 2020 Fund

Schwab Target 2025 Fund

Schwab Target 2030 Fund


Schwab Target 2035 Fund

Schwab Target 2040 Fund

Schwab Target 2045 Fund

Schwab Target 2050 Fund

Schwab Target 2055 Fund

Schwab Core Equity Fund

Schwab Hedged Equity Fund

Laudus International MarketMasters Fund

Laudus Small-Cap MarketMasters Fund

Schwab Balanced Fund (formerly Schwab Viewpoints Fund)

Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund

Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund

Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index Fund

Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index Fund

Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund

Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Moderate Payout

Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Enhanced Payout

Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Maximum Payout

Schwab International Core Equity Fund

Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

Schwab Government Money Market Portfolio

Schwab S&P 500 Index Portfolio

Schwab MarketTrack Growth Portfolio II

Schwab VIT Balanced Portfolio

Schwab VIT Balanced with Growth Portfolio

Schwab VIT Growth Portfolio

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF

Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF

Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF

Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF

Schwab International Equity ETF

Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF

Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF

Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF

Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF

Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF

Schwab U.S. REIT ETF

Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF

Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF

Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF

Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF

Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF

Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index ETF

Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF

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Washington, DC 20006

+1 202 261 3300 Main

+1 202 261 3333 Fax

www.dechert.com

 

February 24, 2016

Schwab Investments

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Schwab Investments (the “Trust”), a trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in connection with Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, together with all Exhibits thereto (the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and Amendment No. 130 to the Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We have examined such governmental and corporate certificates and records as we deemed necessary to render this opinion and we are familiar with the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and its Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as amended to date.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares proposed to be sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, when paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and to the use of our name in the Trust’s Registration Statement to be dated on or about February 25, 2016 and in any revised or amended versions thereof. In giving such consent, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Dechert LLP

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated December 16, 2015 relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the October 31, 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders of Schwab 1000 Index Fund which is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights”, “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Portfolio Holdings Disclosure” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Francisco, California
February 23, 2016

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Walter W. Bettinger II     Date: January 1, 2016

Walter W. Bettinger II

Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees

   

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Marie A. Chandoha  

 

  Date: January 1, 2016
Marie A. Chandoha    
Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Joseph R. Martinetto     Date: January 1, 2016
Joseph R. Martinetto    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Robert W. Burns     Date: January 1, 2016
Robert W. Burns    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ John F. Cogan     Date: January 1, 2016
John F. Cogan    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Stephen T. Kochis     Date: January 1, 2016
Stephen T. Kochis    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ David L. Mahoney     Date: January 1, 2016
David L. Mahoney    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Kiran M. Patel     Date: January 1, 2016
Kiran M. Patel    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Kimberly S. Patmore     Date: January 1, 2016
Kimberly S. Patmore    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Charles A. Ruffel     Date: January 1, 2016
Charles A. Ruffel    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Gerald B. Smith     Date: January 1, 2016
Gerald B. Smith    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Schwab Strategic Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Joseph H. Wender     Date: January 1, 2016
Joseph H. Wender    
Trustee    

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS

SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS

SCHWAB INVESTMENTS

SCHWAB CAPITAL TRUST

LAUDUS TRUST

LAUDUS INSTITUTIONAL TRUST

SCHWAB STRATEGIC TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned trustee and/or officer of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Laudus Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust, and Laudus Institutional Trust and Schwab Strategic Trust, each a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”), do hereby constitute and appoint David Lekich, Catherine MacGregor, Robin Nesbitt, Douglas P. Dick, Jeremy I. Senderowicz and Stephen T. Cohen, and each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for me and in my name and the capacity listed below, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of each Trust, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection thereunder, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said attorneys, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.

 

/s/ Mark D. Fischer     Date: January 1, 2016
Mark D. Fischer    
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer