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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-09253

 

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Catherine Kennedy

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-222-8222

Date of fiscal year end: May 31

 

 

Registrant is making a filing for 16 of its series:

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund, Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund, Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Index Fund, Wells Fargo International Value Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund, Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund, Wells Fargo Real Return Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund.

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2020

 

 

 


Table of Contents
ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS


Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

Small Company Growth Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  

Portfolio of investments

  11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   20
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   24
Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio  

Portfolio of investments

  25
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   30
Statement of operations   31
Statement of changes in net assets   32
Financial highlights   33
Notes to financial statements   34
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   38
Other information   39
Appendix I   48
Appendix II   49
Appendix III   51
Appendix IV   52

 

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

The Fund is currently closed to most new investors.1

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio2

Peregrine Capital Management, LLC

Portfolio managers

William A. Grierson, CFA®

Daniel J. Hagen, CFA®

Paul E. von Kuster, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios3 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net4  
                   
Class A (WFSAX)   1-30-2004     -2.26       3.42       11.37       3.70       4.66       12.03       1.32       1.29  
                   
Class C (WSMCX)   1-30-2004     1.92       3.87       11.20       2.92       3.87       11.20       2.07       2.04  
                   
Class R6 (WSCRX)5   10-31-2014                       4.12       5.11       12.55       0.89       0.86  
                   
Administrator Class (NVSCX)   11-11-1994                       3.80       4.79       12.24       1.24       1.19  
                   
Institutional Class (WSCGX)   3-31-2008                       4.07       5.05       12.51       0.99       0.94  
                   
Russell 2000® Growth Index6                         7.32       6.34       11.72              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20207

LOGO

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Please see the Fund’s current Statement of Additional Information for further details.

 

2 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

3 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

4 

Effective June 1, 2020, the manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.29% for Class A, 2.04% for Class C, 0.86% for Class R6, 1.19% for Administrator Class, and 0.94% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

6 

The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance shown of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 2000® Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

8 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

9 

Amounts represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

*

The security is no longer held at the end of the period.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund underperformed the Russell 2000® Growth Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Stock selection within consumer discretionary and financials were the largest detractors to performance in the period.

 

 

Stock selection in real estate and information technology (IT) were the largest contributors to performance in the period.

Market was dominated by volatility and uncertainty.

Heightened volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty can best describe the market environment throughout the Fund’s most recent fiscal year that ended May 31, 2020. Through the first eight months of the period, markets remained remarkably resilient, generating solid returns as multiple interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and improving trade war headlines caused investor fears of a pending recession to fade. However, that narrative changed abruptly in February as the coronavirus pandemic caused unprecedented spikes in market volatility. Worldwide efforts to contain the spread of infection caused significant damage to the global economy as many businesses were forced to close indefinitely, resulting in a significant elevation in near-term unemployment rates. This widespread uncertainty led to a sharp sell-off in equity markets with the Russell 2000® Growth Index declining by 26% in February and March. Equity markets are forward looking and the impact of extensive Fed stimulus, the gradual reopening of the economy, and the relaxation of the restrictions imposed on our daily lives enabled markets to recoup much of their pandemic-related losses, leading to positive overall returns for the Fund’s fiscal year.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20208  
   

Ciena Corporation

     1.91  
   

RealPage Incorporated

     1.84  
   

LiveRamp Holdings Incorporated

     1.69  
   

SS&C Technologies Holdings Incorporated

     1.67  
   

ICON plc ADR

     1.65  
   

Syneos Health Incorporated

     1.64  
   

PTC Incorporated

     1.58  
   

Black Knight Incorporated

     1.57  
   

ASGN Incorporated

     1.48  
   

Palomar Holdings Incorporated

     1.44  

Returns within the market at certain points throughout the year exhibited significant narrowness toward areas of perceived safety from trade war and coronavirus-related uncertainties. These preferences, focused on momentum and low volatility with little valuation regard, drove levels of market extremes, which surpassed most periods in market history. The Fund remained consistent to its long-term discipline of investing in rapidly growing companies purchased at attractive valuations throughout the fiscal year. Through many past market cycles, we have adhered to these disciplines in spite of many brief periods of strong market headwinds similar to what has been seen recently. We believe this strict adherence to our long-standing investment philosophy will ultimately drive strong future performance.

 

 

Real estate and IT contributed while consumer discretionary detracted.

Consumer discretionary was the largest detractor from performance for the fiscal year with much of the negative performance impact caused by the current coronavirus pandemic. Pervasive store closures and reduced consumer foot traffic related to the pandemic was a significant headwind to apparel retailers G-III Apparel Group and The Children’s Place, and we exited both stocks. Casino operator Eldorado Resorts was also weak in the period as the company was forced to temporarily shutter its casino properties while the longer-term uncertainty surrounding gaming trends caused by the pandemic called into question the company’s ability to complete its pending transformative acquisition of Caesars Entertainment, and we sold our position in Eldorado Resorts. The financials sector also detracted from fund performance in the period. Weakness was driven by our overweight position in the underperforming sector as well as weakness in private mortgage insurer Essent Group and commercial property and casualty insurer Argo Group International.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Sector allocation as of May 31, 20209
LOGO

Real estate and IT were the top-contributing sectors for the fiscal year. Positive performance in real estate was driven by QTS Realty Trust Incorporated. QTS is a data center real estate investment trust that benefited from strong new lease activity and lower customer churn as customers increasingly looked to shift their software needs to cloud-based applications. Within IT, strength was primarily driven by stock selection in communication services and semiconductors. Optical component companies Ciena and Lumentum Holdings benefited from the continued buildout of data center and carrier networks to support the significant ongoing growth in data traffic. The contribution from semiconductors was broad based with strength in Teradyne, FormFactor, Cypress Semiconductor*, and Cabot Microelectronics.

 

 

Our team has employed the same bottom-up style for more than 40 years and we have endured similar periods of extreme market volatility, none of which have proved to be anything more than transient. Our investment philosophy centers on identifying small, rapidly growing companies with underappreciated opportunities relative to their valuations. However, during the Fund’s fiscal year, valuations mattered little as a significant increase in recessionary fears caused investors to crowd into low volatility and high-momentum stocks regardless of valuation excesses. These stocks were afforded significant valuation premiums as they were widely viewed as defensive, with secular growth opportunities able to overwhelm macro level concerns. This persistent lack of valuation sensitivity in the market, while not sustainable, created a significant headwind to our valuation sensitive style during the period. We firmly believe valuations will once again matter, providing a more conducive environment for our valuation sensitive philosophy with the potential to drive strong future outperformance for the Fund.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
    

Ending

account value
5-31-2020

    

Expenses

paid during
the period1,2

    

Annualized net

expense ratio1

 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 928.22      $ 6.37        1.32

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.39      $ 6.67        1.32
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 924.71      $ 9.98        2.07

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,014.63      $ 10.45        2.07
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 929.94      $ 4.32        0.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.52      $ 4.52        0.90
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 928.64      $ 5.79        1.20

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.00      $ 6.06        1.20
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 929.88      $ 4.58        0.95

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.25      $ 4.80        0.95

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.10%           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.10%                           

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

           $ 1,358,835,185  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $1,071,495,346)

             1,358,835,185        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $1,071,495,346)     100.10        1,358,835,185  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.10        (1,416,903
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,357,418,282  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Net

change in

unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    98     98   $ 107,501,645     $ (28,564,804   $ 9,018,933     $ 1,162,518     $ 1,358,835,185       100.10

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $1,071,495,346)

  $ 1,358,835,185  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,419,764  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    23,511  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,360,278,460  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    2,418,664  

Management fee payable

    7,391  

Administration fees payable

    106,962  

Distribution fee payable

    5,604  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    786  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    320,771  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,860,178  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,357,418,282  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,043,293,077  

Total distributable earnings

    314,125,205  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,357,418,282  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 36,533,966  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    783,692  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $46.62  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $49.46  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 9,335,768  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    234,353  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $39.84  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 462,050,192  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    9,123,693  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $50.64  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 55,917,121  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,144,162  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $48.87  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 793,581,235  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    15,724,433  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $50.47  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $93,561)

  $ 9,018,933  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    1,162,518  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (12,701,824
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    (2,520,373
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    810,230  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    105,320  

Class C

    24,959  

Class R6

    158,756  

Administrator Class

    95,924  

Institutional Class

    1,242,083  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    125,293  

Class C

    29,712  

Administrator Class

    184,470  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    89,088  

Custody and accounting fees

    66,019  

Professional fees

    32,906  

Registration fees

    154,343  

Shareholder report expenses

    171,222  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    62,828  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,374,745  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (57,072

Class A

    (399

Class C

    (9

Administrator Class

    (30,583

Institutional Class

    (397,607
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,889,075  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (5,409,448
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    107,501,645  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (28,564,804
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    78,936,841  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 73,527,393  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

 

 

Net investment loss

    $ (5,409,448     $ (5,505,054

Net realized gains on investments

      107,501,645         211,071,257  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (28,564,804       (317,347,617
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      73,527,393         (111,781,414
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net realized income and net realized gains

     

Class A

      (4,577,702       (4,812,269

Class C

      (1,219,067       (1,472,490

Class R6

      (43,043,975       (43,353,220

Administrator Class

      (6,401,809       (7,628,191

Institutional Class

      (80,415,302       (79,166,580
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (135,657,855       (136,432,750
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

 

Class A

    188,284       8,973,220       438,493       23,606,902  

Class C

    5,111       206,315       11,566       528,806  

Class R6

    1,859,972       92,450,593       3,125,212       184,297,448  

Administrator Class

    170,705       8,517,203       504,790       28,496,503  

Institutional Class

    4,127,985       204,967,976       5,840,084       335,266,742  
 

 

 

 
      315,115,307         572,196,401  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

 

Class A

    79,105       3,985,289       92,633       4,427,868  

Class C

    24,921       1,076,603       31,746       1,328,867  

Class R6

    698,418       38,147,601       735,766       37,730,057  

Administrator Class

    121,124       6,394,121       152,980       7,624,565  

Institutional Class

    1,085,956       59,130,286       1,201,482       61,455,772  
 

 

 

 
      108,733,900         112,567,129  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

 

Class A

    (793,982     (38,317,325     (563,233     (31,063,522

Class C

    (122,441     (5,026,553     (113,094     (5,236,576

Class R6

    (4,156,884     (211,307,944     (3,393,805     (197,814,217

Administrator Class

    (866,918     (42,999,639     (882,997     (49,514,482

Institutional Class

    (9,445,990     (485,047,988     (6,511,614     (373,073,185
 

 

 

 
      (782,699,449       (656,701,982
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (358,850,242       28,061,548  
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (420,980,704       (220,152,616
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      1,778,398,986         1,998,551,602  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 1,357,418,282       $ 1,778,398,986  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $48.98       $56.66       $44.26       $37.69       $44.23  

Net investment loss

    (0.34 )1      (0.36     (0.35 )1      (0.28 )1      (0.22 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.49       (3.22     12.75       6.85       (6.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.15       (3.58     12.40       6.57       (6.27

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $46.62       $48.98       $56.66       $44.26       $37.69  

Total return2

    3.70     (6.13 )%      28.02     17.43     (14.20 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.32     1.31     1.32     1.33     1.34

Net expenses3

    1.32     1.31     1.32     1.33     1.34

Net investment loss3

    (0.69 )%      (0.63 )%      (0.71 )%      (0.68 )%      (0.57 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $36,534       $64,182       $76,065       $76,087       $128,675  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $42.75       $50.38       $39.65       $34.02       $40.25  

Net investment loss

    (0.61 )1      (0.66 )1      (0.64 )1      (0.54 )1      (0.46 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.21       (2.87     11.37       6.17       (5.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.60       (3.53     10.73       5.63       (5.96

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $39.84       $42.75       $50.38       $39.65       $34.02  

Total return2

    2.92     (6.82 )%      27.06     16.55     (14.84 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    2.07     2.06     2.07     2.08     2.09

Net expenses3

    2.07     2.06     2.07     2.08     2.09

Net investment loss3

    (1.44 )%      (1.38 )%      (1.47 )%      (1.43 )%      (1.32 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $9,336       $13,968       $19,979       $22,410       $26,946  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $52.65       $60.31       $46.91       $39.77       $46.45  

Net investment loss

    (0.14 )1      (0.12     (0.14     (0.11     (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.64       (3.44     13.54       7.25       (6.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.50       (3.56     13.40       7.14       (6.41

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $50.64       $52.65       $60.31       $46.91       $39.77  

Total return

    4.12     (5.73 )%      28.59     17.95     (13.83 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    0.90     0.88     0.89     0.90     0.91

Net expenses2

    0.89     0.88     0.89     0.90     0.90

Net investment loss2

    (0.27 )%      (0.20 )%      (0.29 )%      (0.25 )%      (0.09 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $462,050       $564,516       $618,523       $418,111       $229,391  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $51.10       $58.85       $45.91       $39.05       $45.73  

Net investment loss

    (0.29 )1      (0.29 )1      (0.30 )1      (0.24 )1      (0.19 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.57       (3.36     13.24       7.10       (6.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.28       (3.65     12.94       6.86       (6.41

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $48.87       $51.10       $58.85       $45.91       $39.05  

Total return

    3.80     (6.02 )%      28.19     17.57     (14.04 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.24     1.23     1.24     1.25     1.25

Net expenses2

    1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20

Net investment loss2

    (0.57 )%      (0.51 )%      (0.60 )%      (0.55 )%      (0.46 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $55,917       $87,850       $114,429       $130,311       $130,104  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $52.51       $60.20       $46.85       $39.75       $46.44  

Net investment loss

    (0.17 )1      (0.15     (0.19     (0.15     (0.09

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.64       (3.44     13.54       7.25       (6.33
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.47       (3.59     13.35       7.10       (6.42

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $50.47       $52.51       $60.20       $46.85       $39.75  

Total return

    4.07     (5.77 )%      28.50     17.86     (13.85 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.00     0.98     0.99     1.00     1.01

Net expenses2

    0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95

Net investment loss2

    (0.32 )%      (0.26 )%      (0.35 )%      (0.31 )%      (0.18 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $793,581       $1,047,883       $1,169,555       $1,014,847       $678,699  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 98% of Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,091,054,328 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 287,339,839  

Gross unrealized losses

     (19,558,982

Net unrealized gains

   $ 267,780,857  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective   

Value of

affiliated Master

Portfolio

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation    $ 1,358,835,185  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through May 31, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.33% for Class A shares, 2.08% for Class C shares, 0.90% for Class R6 shares, 1.20% for Administrator Class shares and 0.95% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Prior to October 1, 2019, the Fund’s expenses were capped at 1.35% for Class A shares and 2.10% for Class C shares.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $607 from the sale of Class A shares and $12 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $642,998,159 and $1,076,896,350, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 12,251,811      $ 30,719,230  

Long-term capital gain

     123,406,044        105,713,520  

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary

income

  

Undistributed

long-term

gain

  

Unrealized

gains

$4,117,873    $42,226,475    $267,780,857

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in the health care and information technology sectors.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 97.13%           

Communication Services: 1.66%

          
Entertainment: 1.66%                           

Lions Gate Entertainment Class B †

          719,341      $ 5,416,638  

Zynga Incorporated Class A †

          1,916,328        17,534,401  
             22,951,039  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 7.89%

          
Auto Components: 0.56%                           

Fox Factory Holding Corporation †

          107,517        7,753,051  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 1.29%                           

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company †

          241,654        369,731  

Strategic Education Incorporated

          102,735        17,426,938  
             17,796,669  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.25%                           

Extended Stay America Incorporated

          822,181        9,455,082  

International Game Technology

          939,706        7,921,722  
             17,376,804  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 1.03%                           

Skyline Champion Corporation †

          573,235        14,239,157  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 0.67%                           

Callaway Golf Company

          604,836        9,266,088  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 1.17%                           

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Incorporated †

          177,916        16,270,418  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 1.92%                           

Boot Barn Holdings Incorporated †

          341,437        7,334,067  

Burlington Stores Incorporated †

          59,574        12,490,881  

Monro Muffler Brake Incorporated

          122,195        6,732,945  
             26,557,893  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 1.03%

          
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.03%                           

Performance Food Group Company †

          536,493        14,297,538  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 0.45%

          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.45%                           

GasLog Limited

          694,831        2,383,270  

Parsley Energy Incorporated Class A

          417,024        3,811,599  
             6,194,869  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 10.59%

          
Banks: 1.47%                           

SVB Financial Group †

          59,943        12,872,759  

Triumph Bancorp Incorporated †

          308,801        7,581,065  
             20,453,824  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Capital Markets: 3.79%                           

Evercore Partners Incorporated Class A

          218,607      $ 12,047,432  

Focus Financial Partners Class A †

          419,446        11,677,377  

Stifel Financial Corporation

          365,020        17,415,104  

VIRTU Financial Incorporated Class A

          475,625        11,343,656  
             52,483,569  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.78%                           

FirstCash Financial Services Incorporated

          154,917        10,808,559  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 3.44%                           

Argo Group International Holdings Limited

          238,366        7,315,453  

BRP Group Incorporated Class A †

          365,802        4,535,945  

Goosehead Insurance Incorporated Class A †

          264,580        15,861,571  

Palomar Holdings Incorporated †

          268,640        19,992,189  
             47,705,158  
          

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 1.11%                           

Essent Group Limited

          463,931        15,332,920  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 28.11%

          
Biotechnology: 10.06%                           

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          234,455        11,647,724  

Agios Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          130,347        6,744,154  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          68,920        9,322,808  

Amicus Therapeutics Incorporated †

          775,259        9,671,356  

bluebird bio Incorporated †

          93,301        5,936,743  

Blueprint Medicines Corporation †

          137,047        8,927,242  

Emergent BioSolutions Incorporated †

          145,123        12,116,319  

Flexion Therapeutics Incorporated †

          412,765        4,717,904  

Galapagos NV †

          25,504        5,171,701  

Global Blood Therapeutics Incorporated †

          139,724        9,769,502  

Immunomedics Incorporated †

          367,638        12,348,960  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          154,711        8,696,305  

Iovance Biotherapeutics Incorporated †

          294,259        9,442,771  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          883,974        8,601,067  

Momenta Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          332,097        10,454,414  

Zymeworks Incorporated †

          151,404        5,771,520  
             139,340,490  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 5.69%                           

Atricure Incorporated †

          231,403        11,063,377  

Axonics Modulation Technologies Incorporated †

          413,821        15,174,816  

Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated †

          304,597        11,793,996  

Cerus Corporation †

          1,159,435        7,211,686  

Novocure Limited †

          137,312        9,258,948  

Silk Road Medical Incorporated †

          387,046        14,812,250  

Tactile Systems Technology Class I †

          196,160        9,503,952  
             78,819,025  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.39%                           

AMN Healthcare Services Incorporated †

          192,345        8,532,424  

HealthEquity Incorporated †

          152,371        9,442,431  

PetIQ Incorporated †

          492,799        15,119,073  
             33,093,928  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Technology: 4.21%                           

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Incorporated †

          957,906      $ 6,053,966  

Evolent Health Incorporated Class A †

          835,824        7,422,117  

Omnicell Incorporated †

          207,322        13,871,915  

Phreesia Incorporated †

          342,337        10,037,321  

Tabula Rasa Healthcare Incorporated †

          172,337        9,207,966  

Teladoc Incorporated †

          67,761        11,794,480  
             58,387,765  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 5.08%                           

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation †

          270,607        10,472,491  

Avantor Incorporated †

          757,414        14,368,144  

ICON plc ADR †

          135,749        22,866,919  

Syneos Health Incorporated †

          372,725        22,732,498  
             70,440,052  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 0.68%                           

Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          213,084        9,365,042  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 14.95%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 0.96%                           

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Incorporated †

          719,616        13,348,877  
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.43%                           

Hub Group Incorporated Class A †

          128,082        5,990,395  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 1.77%                           

A.O. Smith Corporation

          124,626        5,919,735  

Masonite International Corporation †

          184,026        12,215,646  

PGT Incorporated †

          468,723        6,379,320  
             24,514,701  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 1.35%                           

IAA Incorporated †

          283,495        11,623,295  

KAR Auction Services Incorporated

          494,047        7,089,574  
             18,712,869  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.57%                           

Dycom Industries Incorporated †

          188,153        7,921,241  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.83%                           

Atkore International Incorporated †

          425,510        11,420,688  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 3.63%                           

Chart Industries Incorporated †

          176,426        6,924,721  

Ingersoll Rand Incorporated †

          459,751        12,964,978  

SPX Corporation †

          420,345        16,805,393  

Wabash National Corporation

          687,813        6,568,614  

Woodward Governor Company

          102,360        7,019,849  
             50,283,555  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 3.36%                           

ASGN Incorporated †

          331,657        20,426,755  

FTI Consulting Incorporated †

          87,928        10,591,807  

ICF International Incorporated

          236,773        15,527,573  
             46,546,135  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Road & Rail: 2.05%                           

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Incorporated

          292,434      $ 12,168,179  

Schneider National Incorporated Class B

          668,608        16,160,255  
             28,328,434  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 27.95%

          
Communications Equipment: 3.10%                           

Ciena Corporation †

          478,834        26,460,367  

Lumentum Holdings Incorporated †

          224,094        16,430,572  
             42,890,939  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 5.37%                           

Black Knight Incorporated †

          282,605        21,754,933  

KBR Incorporated

          518,776        12,165,297  

LiveRamp Holdings Incorporated †

          463,675        23,383,130  

Verra Mobility Corporation †

          593,540        6,475,521  

WEX Incorporated †

          71,320        10,561,066  
             74,339,947  
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 4.02%                           

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

          87,086        12,615,278  

FormFactor Incorporated †

          311,505        7,840,581  

Onto Innovation Incorporated †

          317,696        9,873,992  

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation ADR

          264,463        11,919,347  

Teradyne Incorporated

          201,077        13,476,181  
             55,725,379  
          

 

 

 
Software: 15.46%                           

Benefitfocus Incorporated †

          282,104        3,591,184  

Box Incorporated Class A †

          929,669        18,574,787  

Cloudera Incorporated †

          676,092        6,929,943  

Cornerstone OnDemand Incorporated †

          369,965        14,299,147  

CyberArk Software Limited †

          152,108        15,785,766  

Mimecast Limited †

          296,060        12,369,387  

Nuance Communications Incorporated

          870,295        19,912,350  

Pagerduty Incorporated †

          549,623        14,592,491  

PTC Incorporated †

          286,793        21,905,249  

RealPage Incorporated †

          376,023        25,501,880  

Sprout Social Incorporated Class A †

          277,128        7,634,876  

SS&C Technologies Holdings Incorporated

          399,407        23,123,668  

Talend SA ADR †

          153,338        4,727,411  

Zendesk Incorporated †

          156,528        13,422,276  

Zuora Incorporated †

          985,528        11,836,191  
             214,206,606  
          

 

 

 

Materials: 3.43%

          
Chemicals: 1.62%                           

Element Solutions Incorporated †

          1,361,267        14,824,198  

Orion Engineered Carbons SA

          686,772        7,595,698  
             22,419,896  
          

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.68%                           

Steel Dynamics Incorporated

          357,309        9,490,127  
          

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 1.13%                           

Boise Cascade Company

          461,194        15,694,432  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                    Shares      Value  

Real Estate: 1.07%

         
Equity REITs: 1.07%                          

QTS Realty Trust Incorporated Class A

         216,908      $ 14,879,889  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,004,456,877)

            1,345,647,968  
         

 

 

 
         
          Expiration
date
               
Rights: 0.00%          

Communication Services: 0.00%

         
Media: 0.00%                          

Media General Incorporated †(a)

      12-31-2020        347,897        0  
         

 

 

 

Total Rights (Cost $0)

            0  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 2.85%                          
Investment Companies: 2.85%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12        39,427,080        39,427,080  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $39,427,080)

            39,427,080        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $1,043,883,957)     99.98        1,385,075,048  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.02          305,572  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,385,380,620  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(a)

The security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Shares,

beginning of

period

   

Shares

purchased

   

Shares

sold

   

Shares,

end of

period

   

Net

realized

gains

(losses)

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses)

   

Income

from

affiliated

securities

   

Value,

end of

period

   

% of

net

assets

 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

    117,789,132       599,370,734       (717,159,866     0     $ 8,127     $ (5,964   $ 2,062,424 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    77,449,512       645,126,796       (683,149,228     39,427,080       0       0       740,158       39,427,080    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 8,127     $ (5,964   $ 2,802,582     $ 39,427,080       2.85
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $1,004,456,877)

  $ 1,345,647,968  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $39,427,080)

    39,427,080  

Receivable for investments sold

    2,496,403  

Receivable for dividends

    582,433  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    102,008  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,388,255,892  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    2,006,506  

Advisory fee payable

    863,929  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    758  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    4,079  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,875,272  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,385,380,620  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $95,134)

  $ 9,175,670  

Income from affiliated securities

    1,182,183  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    10,357,853  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    12,739,297  

Custody and accounting fees

    89,625  

Professional fees

    48,328  

Shareholder report expenses

    1,973  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    20,531  

Other fees and expenses

    20,893  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    12,920,647  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (2,562,794
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    108,626,719  

Affiliated securities

    8,127  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    108,634,846  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (27,495,735

Affiiliated securities

    (5,964
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (27,501,699
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    81,133,147  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 78,570,353  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
       Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

      

Net investment loss

  $ (2,562,794      $ (1,806,897

Net realized gains on investments

    108,634,846          201,431,492  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (27,501,699        (312,380,190
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    78,570,353          (112,755,595
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    51,028,631          200,173,324  

Withdrawals

    (551,302,982        (288,826,821
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (500,274,351        (88,653,497
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

    (421,703,998        (201,409,092
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    1,807,084,618          2,008,493,710  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,385,380,620        $ 1,807,084,618  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return

    4.08     (5.64 )%      28.74     18.15     (13.86 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.78     0.78     0.78     0.79     0.80

Net expenses

    0.78     0.78     0.78     0.79     0.80

Net investment loss

    (0.16 )%      (0.09 )%      (0.18 )%      (0.14 )%      (0.03 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    41     54     37     82     49

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,070,986,415 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 436,926,622  

Gross unrealized losses

     (122,837,989

Net unrealized gains

   $ 314,088,633  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

        

Investments in:

        

Common stocks

        

Communication services

   $ 22,951,039      $ 0      $ 0      $ 22,951,039  

Consumer discretionary

     109,260,080        0        0        109,260,080  

Consumer staples

     14,297,538        0        0        14,297,538  

Energy

     6,194,869        0        0        6,194,869  

Financials

     146,784,030        0        0        146,784,030  

Health care

     389,446,302        0        0        389,446,302  

Industrials

     207,066,895        0        0        207,066,895  

Information technology

     387,162,871        0        0        387,162,871  

Materials

     47,604,455        0        0        47,604,455  

Real estate

     14,879,889        0        0        14,879,889  

Rights

        

Communication services

     0        0        0        0  

Short-term investments

        

Investment companies

     39,427,080        0        0        39,427,080  

Total assets

   $ 1,385,075,048      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,385,075,048  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.775  

Next $1 billion

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.725  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Over $4 billion

     0.680  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.77% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Peregrine Capital Management, LLC, which is not an affiliate of Funds Management, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.50% and declining to 0.45% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $655,559,407 and $1,097,933,987, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio invested a concentration of its portfolio in the health care and information technology sectors. A Portfolio that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a Portfolio whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 31.34% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $123,406,044 was designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $5,210,849 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $12,251,811 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Nancy Wiser1

(Born 1967)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund and Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Peregrine Capital Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the

 

 

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background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management is a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund Investment Performance and Expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for ten-year period ended December 31, 2019, and lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for one-, three- and five- year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for ten-year period ended March 31, 2020, and lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for one-, three- and five- year periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index, for the three- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than its benchmark index for the one- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index, for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020, and lower for one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Gateway Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods identified above. The Funds Trust Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Gateway Fund’s investment performance.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were equal to or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for all share classes, except Class R6.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment Management, Advisory and Sub-Advisory Fee Rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its

 

 

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investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were in range of the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for the Institutional Class and Class R6, and higher than the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for Class A and the Administrator Class. The Board noted that the Fund was benefitting from advisory fee breakpoints through the Master Portfolio in which it invests.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was lower than the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. The Master Trust Board considered these amounts in comparison to the median amount retained by advisers to funds in a sub-advised expense universe that was determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Master Portfolio. The Board noted the small size of the sub-advised expense universe. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. The Master Trust Board also considered that the sub-advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arm’s length basis.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund. The Boards did not consider profitability with respect to the Sub-Adviser, as the sub-advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arm’s-length basis.

 

 

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Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of Scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other Benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management, the Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and its affiliate from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management, the Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00320 07-20

A285/AR285 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo Index Fund  

Portfolio of investments

  11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   18
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   22
Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  

Portfolio of investments

  23
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   37
Statement of operations   38
Statement of changes in net assets   39
Financial highlights   40
Notes to financial statements   41
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   46
Other information   47
Appendix I   56
Appendix II   57
Appendix III   59
Appendix IV   60

 

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and
shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Index Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  3


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks to replicate the total return of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

John R. Campbell, CFA®

David Neal, CFA®

Robert M. Wicentowski, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 20202

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios3 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net4  
                   
Class A (WFILX)   11-4-1998     5.57       8.02       11.90       12.02       9.31       12.57       0.64       0.45  
                   
Class C (WFINX)   4-30-1999     10.17       8.48       11.72       11.17       8.48       11.72       1.39       1.20  
                   
Administrator Class (WFIOX)   2-14-1985                       12.25       9.53       12.86       0.41       0.25  
                   
S&P 500 Index5                         12.84       9.86       13.15              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20206

LOGO

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Historical performance prior to July 19, 2010, is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen Equity Index Fund.

 

3 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

4 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.45% for Class A, 1.20% for Class C, and 0.25% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

5 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the S&P 500 Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

7 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

8 

Amounts represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund underperformed the S&P 500 Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

The energy sector was the S&P 500 Index’s worst-performing sector, followed by financials, industrials, and real estate.

 

 

The information technology, health care, communication services, and consumer discretionary sectors led the S&P 500 Index higher.

The Fund’s management team rebalances the portfolio to reflect the ongoing changes in the constituents and their weightings within the index. One cannot invest directly in the benchmark, and timing of cash flows and other practical issues affect the Fund’s tracking error, which is a measure of how closely a portfolio tracks the index to which it is benchmarked. The team uses an investment process designed to control trading and implementation costs and reduce tracking error to the benchmark as much as possible.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20207  
   

Microsoft Corporation

     5.33  
   

Apple Incorporated

     5.06  
   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     3.88  
   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     2.07  
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class A

     1.64  
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class C

     1.63  
   

Johnson & Johnson

     1.49  
   

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B

     1.38  
   

Visa Incorporated Class A

     1.27  
   

JPMorgan Chase & Company

     1.16  

 

Energy was by far the worst performer for the period.

Over the past year, nearly every S&P 500 company in the energy sector experienced negative stock returns. Oil prices rose through much of 2019 on tensions between the U.S. and Iran as well as a drone strike on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Then, during first-quarter 2020, Saudi Arabia initiated an oil price war with Russia, causing the biggest one-day price crash since the Gulf War in 1991. Due to a combination of supply and demand shocks, West Texas Intermediate crude oil reached an 18-year low and fell 66%, its worst quarterly decline in history. In that quarter alone, the energy sector fell 50.5%.

 

 

Sector allocation as of May 31, 20208
LOGO

Despite weakness in the first quarter of 2020 and a weak August 2019, the S&P 500 Index delivered a positive return over the period.

The period began with reports of a year-over-year decline in earnings for the S&P 500 Index. U.S. economic data was favorable overall, but there were concerns about a slowing global economy, international tariffs, monetary policy actions, and tensions in the Middle East. Consumer spending was strong, but business confidence measures began to decline, and the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) began to reduce its federal funds rate target. Equity markets rose sharply in the fourth quarter of 2019 despite a third consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings declines. In the first

 

quarter of 2020, economic disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic sparked a severe downturn in global equity markets, including a loss of about 20% in the S&P 500 Index. During that quarter, we saw significant emergency actions taken by the Fed and U.S. Congress and an oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia that caused oil prices to crash. Equity markets recovered much of their losses in April and May 2020.

The IT, health care, and communication services sectors led the S&P 500 Index.

Over the past year, investors have placed a premium on companies able to deliver sales and earnings growth and that have “safety” characteristics, including strong balance sheets and lower stock volatility. The IT, health care, and communication services sectors include many companies with these characteristics. Additionally, they also include some of the largest companies in the index, including Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Facebook, and Johnson & Johnson. These sectors were significant drivers of the dominant market themes favoring larger capitalization, growth over value, and low volatility over high volatility.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

The economy is likely to present continued opportunities for growth, but with elevated risks.

The devastating impact of the pandemic should dissipate as daily coronavirus infections peak, new therapies prove successful, quarantines are lifted, and economies reopen. Although the initial collapse in economic activity and employment are stunning, the eventual rise in world economic output may also be unprecedented. The path to recovery is likely to be uneven and painful.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

    

Beginning

account value

12-1-2019

    

Ending

account value

5-31-2020

    

Expenses

paid during

the period1,2

    

Annualized net

expense ratio1

 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 974.08      $ 2.14        0.43

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.83      $ 2.20        0.43
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 970.31      $ 5.93        1.20

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.98      $ 6.07        1.20
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 975.00      $ 1.22        0.25

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.77      $ 1.25        0.25

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 99.99%           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 99.99%                           

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

           $ 1,019,742,036  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $137,034,865)

             1,019,742,036        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $137,034,865)     99.99        1,019,742,036  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.01          70,330  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,019,812,366  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

   

% of

ownership,

beginning

of period

   

% of

ownership,

end of

period

   

Net realized

gains

(losses) on

securities

transactions

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolio

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses) on

securities

transactions

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolio

   

Dividends

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolio

   

Affiliated

income

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolio

   

Interest

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolio

   

Value,

end

of period

   

% of

net

assets

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

    97     97   $ 181,564,933     $ (64,676,797   $ 20,631,449     $ 684,160     $ 29,383     $ 1,019,742,036       99.99

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $137,034,865)

  $ 1,019,742,036  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    788,995  

Receivable from manager

    143,260  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    52,514  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,020,726,805  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    436,376  

Administration fees payable

    151,578  

Distribution fee payable

    9,935  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    161,552  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    319  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    154,679  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    914,439  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,019,812,366  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 34,815,625  

Total distributable earnings

    984,996,741  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,019,812,366  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 660,100,644  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    15,995,828  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $41.27  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $43.79  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 16,102,778  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    384,283  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $41.90  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 343,608,944  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    8,152,962  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $42.15  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $695,923)

  $ 20,631,449  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    684,160  

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    29,383  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (1,306,096
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    20,038,896  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    557,469  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    1,444,065  

Class C

    38,934  

Administrator Class

    531,371  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    1,719,125  

Class C

    46,350  

Administrator Class

    393,251  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    139,016  

Custody and accounting fees

    74,416  

Professional fees

    32,906  

Registration fees

    99,725  

Shareholder report expenses

    72,825  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    181,148  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,352,193  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (2,047,191

Class A

    (335,246

Class C

    (6,035

Administrator Class

    (1,764
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,961,957  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    17,076,939  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    181,564,933  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (64,676,797
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    116,888,136  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 133,965,075  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

     

Net investment income

    $ 17,076,939       $ 22,631,565  

Net realized gains on investments

      181,564,933         306,741,725  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (64,676,797       (284,064,839
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      133,965,075         45,308,451  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment and net realized gains

     

Class A

      (189,301,116       (163,505,563

Class C

      (4,981,676       (13,933,913

Administrator Class

      (116,506,789       (171,863,037
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (310,789,581       (349,302,513
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    732,292       32,317,931       1,215,528       63,105,358  

Class C

    57,399       2,669,398       101,602       5,479,223  

Administrator Class

    1,814,601       90,665,958       1,223,311       69,577,734  
 

 

 

 
      125,653,287         138,162,315  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    4,215,720       183,009,568       3,265,381       156,770,222  

Class C

    89,742       3,933,010       255,848       12,342,496  

Administrator Class

    2,338,163       103,711,408       2,487,498       121,257,092  
 

 

 

 
      290,653,986         290,369,810  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (2,625,376     (122,456,063     (1,902,710     (106,045,189

Class C

    (145,585     (6,654,277     (1,013,120     (51,601,044

Administrator Class

    (5,173,988     (247,150,828     (7,480,787     (408,288,013
 

 

 

 
      (376,261,168       (565,934,246
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      40,046,105         (137,402,121
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (136,778,401       (441,396,183
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      1,156,590,767         1,597,986,950  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 1,019,812,366       $ 1,156,590,767  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $49.48       $63.35       $66.85       $62.85       $67.32  

Net investment income

    0.65       0.82       0.99 1      1.05       0.81  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.82       0.54       7.99       9.09       (0.17
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.47       1.36       8.98       10.14       0.64  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.67     (0.90     (1.02     (1.16     (1.08

Net realized gains

    (14.01     (14.33     (11.46     (4.98     (4.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (14.68     (15.23     (12.48     (6.14     (5.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $41.27       $49.48       $63.35       $66.85       $62.85  

Total return2

    12.02     3.32     13.87     16.94     1.24

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    0.67     0.65     0.63     0.62     0.63

Net expenses3

    0.44     0.45     0.45     0.45     0.48

Net investment income3

    1.47     1.51     1.49     1.68     1.78

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    3     4     3     9     4

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $660,101       $676,511       $702,866       $684,004       $639,496  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.12

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.10

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $50.02       $63.67       $67.11       $63.12       $67.55  

Net investment income

    0.30       0.46 1      0.50 1      0.66       0.62 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.84       0.52       8.00       9.02       (0.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.14       0.98       8.50       9.68       0.17  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.25     (0.30     (0.48     (0.71     (0.57

Net realized gains

    (14.01     (14.33     (11.46     (4.98     (4.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (14.26     (14.63     (11.94     (5.69     (4.60

Net asset value, end of period

    $41.90       $50.02       $63.67       $67.11       $63.12  

Total return2

    11.17     2.54     13.02     16.07     0.48

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.42     1.39     1.38     1.37     1.38

Net expenses3

    1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.24

Net investment income3

    0.72     0.77     0.72     0.93     0.99

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    3     4     3     9     4

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $16,103       $19,146       $66,117       $67,691       $79,858  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.12

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.10

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $50.24       $64.04       $67.43       $63.33       $67.80  

Net investment income

    0.81       1.02 1      1.26       1.41       1.31  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.85       0.48       7.94       8.94       (0.51
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.66       1.50       9.20       10.35       0.80  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.74     (0.97     (1.13     (1.27     (1.24

Net realized gains

    (14.01     (14.33     (11.46     (4.98     (4.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (14.75     (15.30     (12.59     (6.25     (5.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $42.15       $50.24       $64.04       $67.43       $63.33  

Total return

    12.25     3.52     14.10     17.18     1.49

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    0.44     0.41     0.40     0.39     0.40

Net expenses2

    0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25

Net investment income2

    1.67     1.72     1.70     1.88     1.97

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    3     4     3     9     4

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $343,609       $460,934       $829,004       $1,151,522       $1,502,276  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.12

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.10

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  17


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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Index Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Index Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 97% of Wells Fargo Index Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $141,747,321 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 882,707,171  

Gross unrealized losses

     (4,712,456

Net unrealized gains

   $ 877,994,715  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio
 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

   Seeks to replicate the total return of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses    $ 1,019,742,036  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

     

Class-level

administration fee

Class A, Class C

   0.21%

Administrator Class

   0.13

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  19


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Notes to financial statements

 

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.45% for Class A shares, 1.20% for Class C shares, and 0.25% for Administrator Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $10,847 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A and Class C of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Administrator Class is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $37,183,929 and $290,590,151, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 19,604,325      $ 26,860,120  

Long-term capital gain

     291,185,256        322,442,393  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary

income

  

Undistributed

long-term

gain

  

Unrealized

gains

$5,420,766    $101,595,169    $877,994,715

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in the information technology sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  21


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Index Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 96.50%           

Communication Services: 10.59%

          
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.80%                           

AT&T Incorporated

          294,017      $ 9,073,348  

CenturyLink Incorporated

          39,492        388,206  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

          166,460        9,551,475  
     19,013,029  
          

 

 

 
Entertainment: 1.94%                           

Activision Blizzard Incorporated

          30,921        2,225,694  

Electronic Arts Incorporated †

          11,752        1,444,086  

Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated †

          5,672        278,836  

Netflix Incorporated †

          17,639        7,403,617  

Take-Two Interactive Software Incorporated †

          4,555        620,254  

The Walt Disney Company

          72,544        8,509,411  
     20,481,898  
          

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services: 5.42%                           

Alphabet Incorporated Class A †

          12,060        17,288,251  

Alphabet Incorporated Class C †

          12,030        17,189,908  

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          96,857        21,801,542  

Twitter Incorporated †

          31,247        967,720  
     57,247,421  
          

 

 

 
Media: 1.28%                           

Charter Communications Incorporated Class A †

          6,311        3,433,184  

Comcast Corporation Class A

          182,721        7,235,752  

Discovery Communications Incorporated Class A †

          6,365        138,439  

Discovery Communications Incorporated Class C †

          13,500        264,465  

DISH Network Corporation Class A †

          10,304        326,122  

Fox Corporation Class A

          14,269        416,227  

Fox Corporation Class B

          6,535        188,077  

Interpublic Group of Companies Incorporated

          15,606        267,019  

News Corporation Class A

          15,639        191,578  

News Corporation Class B

          4,901        60,086  

Omnicom Group Incorporated

          8,763        480,125  

ViacomCBS Incorporated Class B

          21,750        451,095  
     13,452,169  
          

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.15%                           

T-Mobile US Incorporated †

          15,322        1,532,813  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Discretionary: 10.16%                           
Auto Components: 0.10%                           

Aptiv plc

          10,275        774,221  

BorgWarner Incorporated

          8,311        267,199  
     1,041,420  
          

 

 

 
Automobiles: 0.22%                           

Ford Motor Company

          156,730        894,928  

General Motors Company

          50,606        1,309,683  

Harley-Davidson Incorporated

          6,210        132,521  
     2,337,132  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Distributors: 0.08%  

Genuine Parts Company

          5,848      $ 487,782  

LKQ Corporation †

          12,335        338,719  
     826,501  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.01%                           

H&R Block Incorporated

          7,858        133,586  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.56%                           

Carnival Corporation

          18,746        295,062  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          1,029        1,033,023  

Darden Restaurants Incorporated

          5,250        403,515  

Domino’s Pizza Incorporated

          1,556        600,367  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated

          11,357        900,724  

Las Vegas Sands Corporation

          13,601        652,032  

Marriott International Incorporated Class A

          10,922        966,597  

McDonald’s Corporation

          30,311        5,647,546  

MGM Resorts International

          20,727        356,090  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited †

          10,027        157,023  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited

          6,919        358,889  

Starbucks Corporation

          47,534        3,707,177  

Wynn Resorts Limited

          3,889        323,876  

Yum! Brands Incorporated

          12,174        1,092,373  
     16,494,294  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.35%                           

D.R. Horton Incorporated

          13,497        746,384  

Garmin Limited

          5,815        524,339  

Leggett & Platt Incorporated

          5,297        162,035  

Lennar Corporation Class A

          11,265        681,082  

Mohawk Industries Incorporated †

          2,393        223,028  

Newell Rubbermaid Incorporated

          15,337        201,682  

NVR Incorporated †

          140        451,025  

Pulte Group Incorporated

          10,253        348,294  

Whirlpool Corporation

          2,544        309,910  
     3,647,779  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 4.31%                           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          16,762        40,939,006  

Booking Holdings Incorporated †

          1,685        2,762,423  

eBay Incorporated

          30,779        1,401,676  

Expedia Group Incorporated

          5,625        447,075  
     45,550,180  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 0.04%                           

Hasbro Incorporated

          5,122        376,518  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.53%                           

Dollar General Corporation

          10,247        1,962,403  

Dollar Tree Incorporated †

          9,525        932,212  

Kohl’s Corporation

          6,302        121,124  

Nordstrom Incorporated

          4,312        69,553  

Target Corporation

          20,395        2,494,920  
     5,580,212  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Specialty Retail: 2.36%                           

Advance Auto Parts Incorporated

          2,788      $ 388,424  

AutoZone Incorporated †

          959        1,100,798  

Best Buy Company Incorporated

          9,166        715,773  

CarMax Incorporated †

          6,618        582,715  

L Brands Incorporated

          9,347        151,328  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

          30,850        4,021,298  

O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated †

          3,045        1,270,496  

Ross Stores Incorporated

          14,559        1,411,641  

The Gap Incorporated

          8,564        76,220  

The Home Depot Incorporated

          43,905        10,909,514  

The TJX Companies Incorporated

          48,808        2,575,110  

Tiffany & Company

          4,345        556,725  

Tractor Supply Company

          4,765        581,425  

Ulta Beauty Incorporated †

          2,301        561,467  
     24,902,934  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.60%                           

HanesBrands Incorporated

          14,558        143,542  

Nike Incorporated Class B

          50,151        4,943,886  

PVH Corporation

          2,984        135,682  

Ralph Lauren Corporation

          2,002        151,171  

Tapestry Incorporated

          11,106        151,042  

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          7,575        66,281  

Under Armour Incorporated Class C †

          7,831        61,552  

VF Corporation

          13,181        739,454  
     6,392,610  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 6.88%

          
Beverages: 1.68%                           

Brown-Forman Corporation Class B

          7,333        483,465  

Constellation Brands Incorporated Class A

          6,742        1,164,343  

Molson Coors Brewing Company Class B

          7,561        287,016  

Monster Beverage Corporation †

          15,365        1,104,897  

PepsiCo Incorporated

          56,124        7,383,112  

The Coca-Cola Company

          155,201        7,244,783  
     17,667,616  
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.52%                           

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          17,781        5,484,905  

Sysco Corporation

          20,536        1,132,766  

The Kroger Company

          32,279        1,052,941  

Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated

          30,176        1,295,757  

Walmart Incorporated

          57,096        7,083,330  
     16,049,699  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 1.11%                           

Archer Daniels Midland Company

          22,406        880,780  

Campbell Soup Company

          6,799        346,613  

ConAgra Foods Incorporated

          19,587        681,432  

General Mills Incorporated

          24,326        1,533,511  

Hormel Foods Corporation

          11,192        546,505  

Kellogg Company

          10,022        654,537  

Lamb Weston Holdings Incorporated

          5,879        353,093  

McCormick & Company Incorporated

          4,974        871,246  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Food Products (continued)                           

Mondelez International Incorporated Class A

          57,951      $ 3,020,406  

The Hershey Company

          5,969        809,874  

The J.M. Smucker Company

          4,591        523,053  

The Kraft Heinz Company

          25,067        763,791  

Tyson Foods Incorporated Class A

          11,881        729,969  
     11,714,810  
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 1.69%                           

Church & Dwight Company Incorporated

          9,877        741,466  

Colgate-Palmolive Company

          34,495        2,495,023  

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

          13,797        1,951,448  

The Clorox Company

          5,051        1,041,769  

The Procter & Gamble Company

          100,373        11,635,238  
     17,864,944  
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.17%                           

Coty Incorporated Class A

          11,897        43,186  

The Estee Lauder Companies Incorporated Class A

          8,957        1,768,739  
     1,811,925  
          

 

 

 
Tobacco: 0.71%                           

Altria Group Incorporated

          75,190        2,936,170  

Philip Morris International Incorporated

          62,622        4,593,950  
     7,530,120  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 2.82%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 0.21%                           

Baker Hughes Incorporated

          26,156        431,836  

Halliburton Company

          35,330        415,128  

National Oilwell Varco Incorporated

          15,529        193,647  

Schlumberger Limited

          55,720        1,029,148  

TechnipFMC plc

          16,914        125,164  
     2,194,923  
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.61%                           

Apache Corporation

          15,135        163,307  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

          16,418        325,733  

Chevron Corporation

          76,105        6,978,829  

Concho Resources Incorporated

          8,091        441,121  

ConocoPhillips

          44,164        1,862,838  

Devon Energy Corporation

          15,576        168,377  

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

          6,486        276,174  

EOG Resources Incorporated

          23,415        1,193,463  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          170,296        7,743,359  

Hess Corporation

          10,424        494,827  

HollyFrontier Corporation

          5,976        187,945  

Kinder Morgan Incorporated

          78,399        1,238,704  

Marathon Oil Corporation

          32,196        171,927  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

          26,134        918,349  

Noble Energy Incorporated

          19,251        168,061  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

          35,955        465,617  

ONEOK Incorporated

          16,626        610,008  

Phillips 66

          17,885        1,399,680  

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

          6,667        610,697  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Index Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                           

The Williams Companies Incorporated

          48,783      $ 996,637  

Valero Energy Corporation

          16,528        1,101,426  
     27,517,079  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 10.07%

 

Banks: 3.71%                           

Bank of America Corporation

          325,837        7,859,188  

Citigroup Incorporated

          87,871        4,209,900  

Citizens Financial Group Incorporated

          17,497        421,678  

Comerica Incorporated

          5,802        210,903  

Fifth Third Bancorp

          28,563        553,837  

First Republic Bank

          6,783        733,717  

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

          41,567        369,531  

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          126,239        12,284,317  

KeyCorp

          39,643        469,770  

M&T Bank Corporation

          5,311        561,160  

People’s United Financial Incorporated

          17,875        204,669  

PNC Financial Services Group Incorporated

          17,636        2,011,209  

Regions Financial Corporation

          38,825        439,111  

SVB Financial Group †

          2,076        445,821  

Truist Financial Corporation

          53,976        1,985,237  

US Bancorp

          57,205        2,034,210  

Wells Fargo & Company (l)

          154,906        4,100,362  

Zions Bancorporation

          6,861        225,761  
     39,120,381  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 2.65%                           

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

          5,099        714,217  

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

          33,777        1,255,491  

BlackRock Incorporated

          6,136        3,243,735  

Cboe Global Markets Incorporated

          4,462        475,025  

CME Group Incorporated

          14,424        2,633,822  

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

          9,093        414,095  

Franklin Resources Incorporated

          11,226        211,835  

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          22,412        2,179,567  

Invesco Limited

          14,980        119,391  

MarketAxess Holdings Incorporated

          1,526        776,108  

Moody’s Corporation

          6,535        1,747,524  

Morgan Stanley

          46,875        2,071,875  

MSCI Incorporated

          3,409        1,121,050  

Northern Trust Corporation

          8,528        673,797  

Raymond James Financial Incorporated

          4,969        344,252  

S&P Global Incorporated

          9,837        3,197,222  

State Street Corporation

          14,635        892,150  

T. Rowe Price Group Incorporated

          9,405        1,137,065  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

          46,015        1,652,399  

The Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

          12,826        2,520,181  

The NASDAQ OMX Group Incorporated

          4,618        547,048  
     27,927,849  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.46%                           

American Express Company

          27,006        2,567,460  

Capital One Financial Corporation

          18,745        1,275,410  

Discover Financial Services

          12,617        599,434  

Synchrony Financial

          22,716        462,725  
     4,905,029  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Diversified Financial Services: 1.38%                           

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B †

          78,728      $ 14,610,342  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 1.87%                           

AFLAC Incorporated

          29,543        1,077,433  

American International Group Incorporated

          35,014        1,052,521  

Aon plc

          9,424        1,856,057  

Arthur J. Gallagher & Company

          7,507        707,760  

Assurant Incorporated

          2,441        250,398  

Chubb Limited

          18,241        2,224,308  

Cincinnati Financial Corporation

          6,115        360,479  

Everest Reinsurance Group Limited

          1,641        325,591  

Globe Life Incorporated

          4,010        308,850  

Lincoln National Corporation

          7,983        302,795  

Loews Corporation

          10,296        342,239  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Incorporated

          20,312        2,151,447  

MetLife Incorporated

          31,462        1,132,947  

Principal Financial Group Incorporated

          10,394        401,416  

Prudential Financial Incorporated

          16,180        986,333  

The Allstate Corporation

          13,039        1,275,345  

The Hartford Financial Services Group Incorporated

          14,506        555,435  

The Progressive Corporation

          23,531        1,827,888  

The Travelers Companies Incorporated

          10,389        1,111,415  

Unum Group

          8,302        125,775  

W.R. Berkley Corporation

          5,840        338,428  

Willis Towers Watson plc

          5,175        1,050,008  
     19,764,868  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 14.70%

          
Biotechnology: 2.42%                           

AbbVie Incorporated

          70,963        6,576,141  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          8,907        1,067,949  

Amgen Incorporated

          23,915        5,493,276  

Biogen Idec Incorporated †

          7,263        2,230,395  

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          50,920        3,963,104  

Incyte Corporation †

          7,196        733,344  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          4,060        2,488,009  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          10,350        2,980,386  
     25,532,604  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 3.77%                           

Abbott Laboratories

          71,135        6,752,134  

ABIOMED Incorporated †

          1,817        406,826  

Align Technology Incorporated †

          2,887        709,105  

Baxter International Incorporated

          20,549        1,849,615  

Becton Dickinson & Company

          11,868        2,930,565  

Boston Scientific Corporation †

          56,100        2,131,239  

Danaher Corporation

          25,326        4,219,565  

Dentsply Sirona Incorporated

          8,952        416,447  

DexCom Incorporated †

          3,670        1,388,398  

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation †

          8,395        1,886,524  

Hologic Incorporated †

          10,792        571,976  

IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated †

          3,453        1,066,563  

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated †

          4,652        2,698,300  

Medtronic plc

          53,948        5,318,194  

ResMed Incorporated

          5,787        930,665  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Index Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)                           

STERIS plc

          3,412      $ 566,017  

Stryker Corporation

          12,959        2,536,465  

Teleflex Incorporated

          1,863        676,008  

The Cooper Companies Incorporated

          1,995        632,375  

Varian Medical Systems Incorporated †

          3,659        444,166  

West Pharmaceutical Services Incorporated

          2,978        643,367  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Incorporated

          8,279        1,045,969  
     39,820,483  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.89%  

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

          6,050        576,807  

Anthem Incorporated

          10,206        3,001,687  

Cardinal Health Incorporated

          11,772        643,811  

Centene Corporation †

          23,498        1,556,743  

Cigna Corporation

          15,030        2,965,720  

CVS Health Corporation

          52,362        3,433,376  

DaVita HealthCare Partners Incorporated †

          3,609        292,185  

HCA Healthcare Incorporated

          10,648        1,138,271  

Henry Schein Incorporated †

          5,906        358,612  

Humana Incorporated

          5,330        2,188,765  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings †

          3,908        685,151  

McKesson Corporation

          6,500        1,031,355  

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

          5,421        641,196  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          38,132        11,624,540  

Universal Health Services Incorporated Class B

          3,233        340,920  
     30,479,139  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 0.09%                           

Cerner Corporation

          12,642        921,602  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 1.11%                           

Agilent Technologies Incorporated

          12,456        1,097,872  

Illumina Incorporated †

          5,917        2,148,167  

IQVIA Holdings Incorporated †

          7,263        1,085,964  

Mettler-Toledo International Incorporated †

          980        779,100  

PerkinElmer Incorporated

          4,472        449,302  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated

          16,139        5,635,577  

Waters Corporation †

          2,593        518,211  
     11,714,193  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 4.42%                           

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

          94,350        5,634,582  

Eli Lilly & Company

          34,007        5,201,371  

Johnson & Johnson

          105,929        15,756,939  

Merck & Company Incorporated

          102,472        8,271,540  

Mylan NV †

          20,774        354,612  

Perrigo Company plc

          5,478        300,030  

Pfizer Incorporated

          222,741        8,506,479  

Zoetis Incorporated

          19,170        2,672,106  
     46,697,659  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 7.68%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 1.68%                           

General Dynamics Corporation

          9,432        1,384,901  

Howmet Aerospace Incorporated

          15,591        203,930  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Aerospace & Defense (continued)                           

Huntington Ingalls Industries Incorporated

          1,646      $ 329,019  

L3Harris Technologies Incorporated

          8,898        1,774,706  

Lockheed Martin Corporation

          9,991        3,880,904  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

          6,308        2,114,442  

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

          59,081        3,811,906  

Textron Incorporated

          9,187        284,521  

The Boeing Company

          21,519        3,138,546  

TransDigm Group Incorporated

          2,004        851,339  
     17,774,214  
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.48%                           

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Incorporated

          5,444        441,672  

Expeditors International of Washington Incorporated

          6,854        523,440  

FedEx Corporation

          9,661        1,261,340  

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          28,204        2,812,221  
     5,038,673  
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.18%                           

Alaska Air Group Incorporated

          4,958        169,514  

American Airlines Group Incorporated

          15,692        164,766  

Delta Air Lines Incorporated

          23,167        584,040  

Southwest Airlines Company

          21,202        680,584  

United Airlines Holdings Incorporated †

          10,032        281,297  
     1,880,201  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 0.38%                           

A.O. Smith Corporation

          5,516        262,010  

Allegion plc

          3,740        372,878  

Carrier Global Corporation †

          32,654        668,427  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Incorporated

          5,601        341,437  

Johnson Controls International plc

          31,049        975,249  

Masco Corporation

          11,435        533,443  

Trane Technologies plc

          9,643        869,895  
     4,023,339  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.40%                           

Cintas Corporation

          3,374        836,617  

Copart Incorporated †

          8,233        735,948  

Republic Services Incorporated

          8,478        724,530  

Rollins Incorporated

          5,667        236,881  

Waste Management Incorporated

          15,709        1,676,936  
     4,210,912  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.06%                           

Jacobs Engineering Group Incorporated

          5,454        458,245  

Quanta Services Incorporated

          5,727        211,498  
     669,743  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.45%                           

AMETEK Incorporated

          9,201        843,824  

Eaton Corporation plc

          16,639        1,412,651  

Emerson Electric Company

          24,518        1,496,088  

Rockwell Automation Incorporated

          4,651        1,005,360  
     4,757,923  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Index Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Industrial Conglomerates: 1.11%                           

3M Company

          23,145      $ 3,620,804  

General Electric Company

          351,514        2,309,447  

Honeywell International Incorporated

          28,759        4,194,500  

Roper Technologies Incorporated

          4,188        1,649,234  
     11,773,985  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 1.43%                           

Caterpillar Incorporated

          22,244        2,672,172  

Cummins Incorporated

          6,166        1,045,754  

Deere & Company

          12,673        1,927,817  

Dover Corporation

          5,847        568,621  

Flowserve Corporation

          5,267        137,469  

Fortive Corporation

          11,894        725,296  

IDEX Corporation

          3,061        487,832  

Illinois Tool Works Incorporated

          11,772        2,030,199  

Ingersoll Rand Incorporated †

          13,928        392,770  

Otis Worldwide Corporation

          16,327        859,617  

PACCAR Incorporated

          13,921        1,028,205  

Parker-Hannifin Corporation

          5,171        930,625  

Pentair plc

          6,766        264,821  

Snap-on Incorporated

          2,207        286,226  

Stanley Black & Decker Incorporated

          6,118        767,503  

Wabtec Corporation

          7,329        447,582  

Xylem Incorporated

          7,248        480,832  
     15,053,341  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 0.33%                           

Equifax Incorporated

          4,873        748,298  

IHS Markit Limited

          16,139        1,121,015  

Nielsen Holdings plc

          14,321        198,919  

Robert Half International Incorporated

          4,732        240,102  

Verisk Analytics Incorporated

          6,596        1,138,997  
     3,447,331  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.00%                           

CSX Corporation

          31,299        2,240,382  

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Incorporated

          3,432        410,707  

Kansas City Southern

          3,989        600,424  

Norfolk Southern Corporation

          10,495        1,871,154  

Old Dominion Freight Line Incorporated

          3,855        659,552  

Union Pacific Corporation

          27,941        4,746,058  
     10,528,277  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.18%                           

Fastenal Company

          23,084        952,446  

United Rentals Incorporated †

          3,025        420,142  

W.W. Grainger Incorporated

          1,756        543,693  
     1,916,281  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 25.29%

          
Communications Equipment: 0.98%                           

Arista Networks Incorporated †

          2,183        509,643  

Cisco Systems Incorporated

          170,745        8,165,026  

F5 Networks Incorporated †

          2,447        354,619  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Communications Equipment (continued)                           

Juniper Networks Incorporated

          13,472      $ 326,831  

Motorola Solutions Incorporated

          6,896        933,236  
     10,289,355  
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.52%                           

Amphenol Corporation Class A

          11,933        1,152,250  

CDW Corporation of Delaware

          5,783        641,393  

Corning Incorporated

          30,956        705,487  

FLIR Systems Incorporated

          5,399        249,434  

IPG Photonics Corporation †

          1,431        222,377  

Keysight Technologies Incorporated †

          7,550        816,382  

TE Connectivity Limited

          13,462        1,093,788  

Zebra Technologies Corporation Class A †

          2,170        567,064  
     5,448,175  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 5.59%                           

Accenture plc Class A

          25,560        5,153,407  

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          6,504        688,123  

Alliance Data Systems Corporation

          1,650        76,445  

Automatic Data Processing Incorporated

          17,416        2,551,270  

Broadridge Financial Solutions Incorporated

          4,614        558,755  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Class A

          22,039        1,168,067  

DXC Technology Company

          10,304        146,420  

Fidelity National Information Services Incorporated

          24,737        3,434,238  

Fiserv Incorporated †

          22,986        2,454,215  

FleetCor Technologies Incorporated †

          3,493        851,558  

Gartner Incorporated †

          3,600        438,120  

Global Payments Incorporated

          12,097        2,171,291  

International Business Machines Corporation

          35,646        4,452,185  

Jack Henry & Associates Incorporated

          3,097        560,123  

Leidos Holdings Incorporated

          5,356        563,933  

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

          35,730        10,750,800  

Paychex Incorporated

          12,822        926,774  

PayPal Holdings Incorporated †

          47,260        7,325,773  

VeriSign Incorporated †

          4,158        910,644  

Visa Incorporated Class A

          68,899        13,451,841  

Western Union Company

          16,874        337,817  
     58,971,799  
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 4.06%                           

Advanced Micro Devices Incorporated †

          47,077        2,532,743  

Analog Devices Incorporated

          14,824        1,674,371  

Applied Materials Incorporated

          37,180        2,088,772  

Intel Corporation

          175,082        11,017,910  

KLA-Tencor Corporation

          6,351        1,117,522  

Lam Research Corporation

          5,839        1,597,959  

Maxim Integrated Products Incorporated

          10,892        628,251  

Microchip Technology Incorporated

          9,619        923,616  

Micron Technology Incorporated †

          44,557        2,134,726  

NVIDIA Corporation

          24,632        8,744,853  

Qorvo Incorporated †

          4,676        489,764  

QUALCOMM Incorporated

          45,958        3,717,083  

Skyworks Solutions Incorporated

          6,857        812,829  

Texas Instruments Incorporated

          37,623        4,467,355  

Xilinx Incorporated

          10,121        930,626  
     42,878,380  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Software: 8.80%                           

Adobe Incorporated †

          19,484      $ 7,532,514  

ANSYS Incorporated †

          3,445        974,935  

Autodesk Incorporated †

          8,856        1,863,125  

Broadcom Incorporated

          15,965        4,650,126  

Cadence Design Systems Incorporated †

          11,293        1,030,938  

Citrix Systems Incorporated

          4,629        685,647  

Fortinet Incorporated †

          5,714        795,389  

Intuit Incorporated

          10,477        3,041,683  

Microsoft Corporation

          307,049        56,266,729  

NortonLifeLock Incorporated

          23,078        525,717  

Oracle Corporation

          87,197        4,688,583  

Paycom Software Incorporated †

          1,974        586,732  

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          35,701        6,240,178  

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          7,591        2,944,777  

Synopsys Incorporated †

          6,051        1,094,686  
     92,921,759  
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 5.34%                           

Apple Incorporated

          168,105        53,447,304  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company

          52,082        505,716  

HP Incorporated

          59,645        903,025  

NetApp Incorporated

          9,186        409,144  

Seagate Technology plc

          9,305        493,537  

Western Digital Corporation

          11,970        531,109  

Xerox Holdings Corporation

          7,483        118,830  
     56,408,665  
          

 

 

 

Materials: 2.45%

          
Chemicals: 1.75%                           

Air Products & Chemicals Incorporated

          8,872        2,143,919  

Albemarle Corporation

          4,268        326,587  

Celanese Corporation Series A

          4,865        437,412  

CF Industries Holdings Incorporated

          8,751        257,017  

Corteva Incorporated

          30,122        822,632  

Dow Incorporated

          29,844        1,151,978  

DuPont de Nemours Incorporated

          29,816        1,512,566  

Eastman Chemical Company

          5,473        372,602  

Ecolab Incorporated

          10,093        2,145,570  

FMC Corporation

          5,217        513,405  

International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated

          4,298        572,451  

Linde plc

          21,621        4,374,793  

LyondellBasell Industries NV Class A

          10,333        658,832  

PPG Industries Incorporated

          9,517        967,593  

The Mosaic Company

          14,073        170,143  

The Sherwin-Williams Company

          3,307        1,963,862  
     18,391,362  
          

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 0.10%                           

Martin Marietta Materials Incorporated

          2,516        483,298  

Vulcan Materials Company

          5,327        577,021  
     1,060,319  
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.32%                           

Amcor plc

          65,209        665,784  

Avery Dennison Corporation

          3,361        371,962  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  33


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Containers & Packaging (continued)                           

Ball Corporation

          13,167      $ 938,280  

International Paper Company

          15,782        537,377  

Packaging Corporation of America

          3,810        386,372  

Sealed Air Corporation

          6,219        199,630  

WestRock Company

          10,380        291,263  
     3,390,668  
          

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.28%                           

Freeport-McMoRan Incorporated

          58,397        529,661  

Newmont Goldcorp Corporation

          32,997        1,929,335  

Nucor Corporation

          12,204        515,741  
     2,974,737  
          

 

 

 

Real Estate: 2.74%

 

Equity REITs: 2.68%                           

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

          4,934        758,454  

American Tower Corporation

          17,828        4,602,655  

Apartment Investment & Management Company Class A

          5,992        220,925  

AvalonBay Communities Incorporated

          5,621        876,932  

Boston Properties Incorporated

          5,788        497,652  

Crown Castle International Corporation

          16,734        2,880,925  

Digital Realty Trust Incorporated

          10,580        1,518,865  

Duke Realty Corporation

          14,794        510,097  

Equinix Incorporated

          3,549        2,475,889  

Equity Residential Company Limited

          14,050        850,868  

Essex Property Trust Incorporated

          2,660        645,768  

Extra Space Storage Incorporated

          5,213        504,358  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

          2,827        225,906  

Healthpeak Properties Incorporated

          19,921        490,853  

Host Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

          28,865        344,648  

Iron Mountain Incorporated

          11,557        297,708  

Kimco Realty Corporation

          16,994        188,803  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Incorporated

          4,591        534,209  

Prologis Incorporated

          29,713        2,718,740  

Public Storage Incorporated

          6,046        1,225,766  

Realty Income Corporation

          13,793        762,891  

Regency Centers Corporation

          6,744        288,576  

SBA Communications Corporation

          4,532        1,423,637  

Simon Property Group Incorporated

          12,351        712,653  

SL Green Realty Corporation

          3,281        138,196  

UDR Incorporated

          11,795        436,179  

Ventas Incorporated

          15,002        524,320  

Vornado Realty Trust

          6,376        230,875  

Welltower Incorporated

          16,331        827,492  

Weyerhaeuser Company

          29,991        605,518  
     28,320,358  
          

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.06%                           

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

          13,473        592,543  
          

 

 

 

Utilities: 3.12%

          
Electric Utilities: 1.97%                           

Alliant Energy Corporation

          9,674        477,509  

American Electric Power Company Incorporated

          19,881        1,694,855  

Duke Energy Corporation

          29,343        2,512,641  

Edison International

          14,433        838,702  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                    Shares      Value  
Electric Utilities (continued)                          

Entergy Corporation

         8,014      $ 815,985  

Evergy Incorporated

         9,173        565,882  

Eversource Energy

         13,031        1,090,695  

Exelon Corporation

         39,126        1,498,917  

FirstEnergy Corporation

         21,747        919,028  

NextEra Energy Incorporated

         19,673        5,027,632  

NRG Energy Incorporated

         10,126        365,042  

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

         4,524        352,420  

PPL Corporation

         30,903        863,430  

The Southern Company

         42,210        2,408,925  

Xcel Energy Incorporated

         21,106        1,372,523  
     20,804,186  
         

 

 

 
Gas Utilities: 0.05%                          

Atmos Energy Corporation

         4,803        493,652  
         

 

 

 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.03%                          

AES Corporation

         26,721        333,745  
         

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities: 0.98%  

Ameren Corporation

         9,902        739,976  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

         20,215        359,423  

CMS Energy Corporation

         11,424        669,218  

Consolidated Edison Incorporated

         13,380        1,004,303  

Dominion Energy Incorporated

         33,128        2,816,211  

DTE Energy Company

         7,732        831,731  

NiSource Incorporated

         15,035        358,284  

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated

         20,355        1,038,919  

Sempra Energy

         11,346        1,433,113  

WEC Energy Group Incorporated

         12,696        1,164,604  
     10,415,782  
         

 

 

 
Water Utilities: 0.09%                          

American Water Works Company Incorporated

         7,276        924,052  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $304,391,843)

 

     1,018,549,518  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 3.23%  
Investment Companies: 2.86%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12        30,205,942        30,205,942  
         

 

 

 
         
          Maturity
date
     Principal         
U.S. Treasury Securities: 0.37%  

U.S. Treasury Bill (z)#

    0.10       9-10-2020      $ 2,268,000        2,267,364  

U.S. Treasury Bill (z)#

    (0.08     9-17-2020        600,000        599,703  

U.S. Treasury Bill (z)#

    0.11       10-1-2020        1,000,000        999,627  
     3,866,694  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $34,073,084)

 

     34,072,636        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $338,464,927)     99.73        1,052,622,154  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.27          2,883,114  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,055,505,268  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

(z)

Zero coupon security. The rate represents the current yield to maturity.

#

All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral for investments in derivative instruments.

Abbreviations:

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     243        6-19-2020      $ 36,294,629      $ 36,960,300      $ 665,671      $ 0  

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Shares,
beginning of
period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
   

Value,
end of

period

    % of
net
assets
 
Common Stocks                                                      

Financials

                 

Banks

                 

Wells Fargo & Company

    208,199       0       (53,293     154,906     $ 1,050,317     $ (3,726,054   $ 362,425     $ 4,100,362       0.39
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

    3,129,501       26,661,691       (29,791,192     0       403       (149     24,296 #      0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    24,217,403       305,422,280       (299,433,741     30,205,942       0       0       339,363       30,205,942    
                  30,205,942       2.86
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 1,050,720     $ (3,726,203   $ 726,084     $ 34,306,304       3.25
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $304,763,149)

  $ 1,018,315,850  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $33,701,778)

    34,306,304  

Cash

    1,435,347  

Receivable for dividends

    1,857,733  

Receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    40,407  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    150,671  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,056,106,312  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    488,590  

Advisory fee payable

    85,369  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    874  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    26,211  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    601,044  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,055,505,268  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  37


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $720,213)

  $ 21,332,539  

Income from affiliated securities

    706,190  

Interest

    30,366  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    22,069,095  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    1,110,898  

Custody and accounting fees

    105,914  

Professional fees

    60,391  

Shareholder report expenses

    7,083  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    20,147  

Other fees and expenses

    45,958  
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,350,391  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    20,718,704  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    187,873,929  

Affiliated securities

    1,050,720  

Futures contracts

    (1,706,067
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    187,218,582  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (65,011,989

Affiliated securities

    (3,726,203

Futures contracts

    2,198,926  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (66,539,266
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    120,679,316  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 141,398,020  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
       Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 20,718,704        $ 27,311,387  

Net realized gains on investments

    187,218,582          316,337,562  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (66,539,266        (292,921,380
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    141,398,020          50,727,569  
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    47,457,547          3,884,910  

Withdrawals

    (328,736,831        (513,193,862
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (281,279,284        (509,308,952
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

    (139,881,264        (458,581,383
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    1,195,386,532          1,653,967,915  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,055,505,268        $ 1,195,386,532  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  39


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019      2018      2017      2016  

Total return

     12.74      3.67      14.27      17.36      1.62

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

              

Gross expenses

     0.12      0.11      0.10      0.10      0.11

Net expenses

     0.12      0.11      0.10      0.10      0.10

Net investment income

     1.80      1.86      1.84      2.03      2.12

Supplemental data

              

Portfolio turnover rate

     3      4      3      9      4

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

40  |  Wells Fargo Index Portfolio


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Index Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Portfolio and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Portfolio may buy and sell futures contracts in

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in security values and is subject to equity price risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Portfolio and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Portfolio since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Portfolio is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Portfolio fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Portfolio’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All interest, dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether interest, dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $358,423,878 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 731,102,270  

Gross unrealized losses

     (36,238,323

Net unrealized gains

   $ 694,863,947  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

     

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

        

Investments in:

        

Common stocks

        

Communication services

   $ 111,727,330      $ 0      $ 0      $ 111,727,330  

Consumer discretionary

     107,283,166        0        0        107,283,166  

Consumer staples

     72,639,114        0        0        72,639,114  

Energy

     29,712,002        0        0        29,712,002  

Financials

     106,328,469        0        0        106,328,469  

Health care

     155,165,680        0        0        155,165,680  

Industrials

     81,074,220        0        0        81,074,220  

Information technology

     266,918,133        0        0        266,918,133  

Materials

     25,817,086        0        0        25,817,086  

Real estate

     28,912,901        0        0        28,912,901  

Utilities

     32,971,417        0        0        32,971,417  

Short-term investments

        

Investment companies

     30,205,942        0        0        30,205,942  

U.S. Treasury securities

     3,866,694        0        0        3,866,694  
     1,052,622,154        0        0        1,052,622,154  

Futures contracts

     665,671        0        0        665,671  

Total assets

   $ 1,053,287,825      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,053,287,825  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

Futures contracts reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.100

Next $500 million

     0.100  

Next $2 billion

     0.075  

Next $2 billion

     0.075  

Over $5 billion

     0.050  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.10% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.02% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $38,488,002 and $300,781,398, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure. The Portfolio had an average notional amount of $26,944,619 in long futures contracts during the year ended May 31, 2020.

The fair value, realized gains or losses and change in unrealized gains or losses, if any, on derivative instruments are reflected in the corresponding financial statement captions.

8. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

9. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio invested a concentration of its portfolio in the information technology sector. A portfolio that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a portfolio whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Index Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 100% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $291,185,256 was designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $19,604,325 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $366,116 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $498,152 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

 

Trustee,

since 2018

  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Nancy Wiser1

(Born 1967)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Index Fund and Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Index Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo Index Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management, for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management

 

 

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and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than or in range of the average investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was in range of its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for all periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was in range of its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were lower than the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for each share class.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management, advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were in range of the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for Administrator Class, and higher than the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for Class A.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was equal to the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Master Trust Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Boards noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Master Portfolio and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund. Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

 

 

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The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00317 07-20

A283/AR283 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   18
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   22
Other information   23
Appendix I   31
Appendix II   32
Appendix III   34
Appendix IV   35

 

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned, many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term total capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Portfolio managers

Thomas C. Biwer, CFA®

Aldo Ceccarelli, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (NVDAX)   5-2-1996     -0.78       4.60       9.41       5.27       5.85       10.06       1.36       1.25  
                   
Class C (WFDEX)   10-1-1998     3.53       5.07       9.24       4.53       5.07       9.24       2.11       2.00  
                   
Administrator Class (NVDEX)   11-11-1994                       5.59       6.12       10.34       1.28       1.00  
                   
Diversified Equity Blended Index3                         8.16       7.68       11.53              
                   
MSCI EAFE Index (Net)4                         -2.81       0.79       5.27              
                   
Russell 1000® Growth Index5                         26.25       14.50       16.07              
                   
Russell 1000® Value Index6                         -1.64       4.36       9.85              
                   
Russell 2000® Index7                         -3.44       3.72       9.23              
                   
S&P 500 Index8                         12.84       9.86       13.15              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk and smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20209

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.50% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.25% for Class A, 2.00% for Class C, and 1.00% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios and funds invest and from any money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. All other acquired fund fees and expenses from the affiliated master portfolios and funds are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Diversified Equity Blended Index is composed 25% of the S&P 500 Index, 25% of the Russell 1000® Growth Index, 25% of the Russell 1000® Value Index, 15% of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), and 10% of the Russell 2000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Diversified Equity Blended Index, the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), the Russell 1000® Growth Index, the Russell 1000® Value Index, the Russell 2000® Index, and the S&P 500 Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

10 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

11 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash is comprised of the net impact of long and/or short futures contracts held as part of a dynamic risk management strategy. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund underperformed the Diversified Equity Blended Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Relative underperformance by one of the nine underlying investments—the Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio—was the most significant detractor from relative performance over the period.

 

 

Four of the underlying investments outperformed their respective benchmarks while five underperformed.

Positive market returns despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus.

The U.S. equity market delivered solid returns for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, posting a total return of 12.84% as measured by the S&P 500 Index. In contrast, non-U.S. markets declined 2.81% according to the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). The U.S. market’s performance would be considered outstanding during most any historical 12-month period. Given that it was realized as the world was opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed over one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

The 12-month period was characterized by extreme contrasts in returns across market segments. In both U.S. and non-U.S. markets, growth stock indices surpassed those of value stocks by wide margins. In fact, the major value indices posted negative returns. Similarly, large-cap stock indices outperformed small-cap indices, which also posted losses.

The Fund’s underlying holdings displayed similar patterns. Underlying U.S. equity funds as a group produced solid absolute returns despite declines in the small-cap segment, but they lagged their respective benchmarks on balance. Large-cap U.S. growth stocks enjoyed a remarkable return of more than 26% over the 12-month period, yet because of conservative positioning, our holdings in this space lagged, with a return of 16%. This was the largest single detractor from relative performance over the period. International equity funds suffered negative absolute returns but narrowly outperformed their respective benchmarks on balance.

 

Fund holdings (%) as of May 31, 202010  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     26.39  
   

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

     25.46  
   

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

     16.53  
   

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

     7.69  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

     7.41  
   

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

     6.92  
   

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

     4.33  
   

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

     2.80  
   

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

     2.58  
Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation11
 
     

U.S. Large Cap Stock Funds

     75        75  
     

International Stock Funds

     15        15  
     

U.S. Small Cap Stock Funds

     10        10  
 

 

There were no changes to the Fund’s strategic composition.

The Fund’s asset allocation among underlying funds remains aligned with the composition of its blended benchmark: 25% in U.S. large-cap value portfolios, 25% in U.S. large-cap blend portfolios, 25% in U.S. large-cap growth portfolios, 10% in U.S. small-cap portfolios, and 15% in international portfolios.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely that we will hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of the coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here will be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Market participants went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 935.00      $ 6.04        1.25

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.76      $ 6.30        1.25
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 931.67      $ 9.66        2.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.00      $ 10.07        2.00
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 936.40      $ 4.84        1.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.00      $ 5.05        1.00

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.11%                           
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 100.11%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

           $ 10,806,591  

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

             10,403,670  

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

             37,056,423  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

             3,928,499  

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

             35,763,232  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

             9,719,561  

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

             23,216,817  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

             3,622,466  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

             6,088,105  

Total Investment Companies (Cost $128,833,967)

             140,605,364        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $128,833,967)     100.11        140,605,364  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.11        (149,413
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 140,455,951  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    3.57     3.77   $ 1,444,187     $ (1,815,386   $ 237,425     $ 7,983     $ 28     $ 10,806,591    

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    5.46       5.81       (142,429     (12,212,546     130,797       9,659       0       10,403,670    

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    15.12       16.37       2,946,091       13,895,271       400,205       8,435       98       37,056,423    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.46       0.54       651,269       (32,842,296     3,638       3,311       10       3,928,499    

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

    3.16       3.39       5,728,131       32,021,921       711,684       11,063       771       35,763,232    

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    1.04       1.23       (156,690     (1,018,915     343,164       7,647       0       9,719,561    

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    10.11       10.44       (2,849,502     2,466,645       605,583       4,564       443       23,216,817    

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    0.21       0.26       762,312       (576,902     20,999       2,611       10       3,622,466    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    5.77       1.51       (1,056,085     80,158       131,766       5,394       16       6,088,105    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 7,327,284     $ (2,050   $ 2,585,261     $ 60,667     $ 1,376     $ 140,605,364       100.11 % 
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (cost $128,833,967)

  $ 140,605,364  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    35,754  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    1,536  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    140,642,654  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    104,745  

Management fee payable

    5,005  

Administration fees payable

    18,532  

Distribution fee payable

    795  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    28,433  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    853  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    28,340  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    186,703  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 140,455,951  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 132,871,686  

Total distributable earnings

    7,584,265  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 140,455,951  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 56,387,452  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    2,763,584  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $20.40  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $21.64  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 1,316,947  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    75,906  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $17.35  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 82,751,552  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    4,031,568  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $20.53  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $122,006)

  $ 2,585,261  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    60,667  

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    1,376  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (803,451

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    45,342  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,889,195  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    448,880  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    127,869  

Class C

    2,949  

Administrator Class

    113,532  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    152,225  

Class C

    3,510  

Administrator Class

    218,331  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    10,521  

Custody and accounting fees

    8,802  

Professional fees

    33,270  

Registration fees

    74,791  

Shareholder report expenses

    30,845  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    18,440  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,265,557  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (210,452

Class A

    (410

Administrator Class

    (150,836
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    903,859  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    985,336  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    7,327,284  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (2,050
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7,325,234  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 8,310,570  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 985,336       $ 1,452,338  

Net realized gains on investments

      7,327,284         14,956,526  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (2,050       (17,110,620
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      8,310,570         (701,756
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (6,060,114       (11,767,492

Class C

      (154,837       (402,680

Administrator Class

      (8,943,655       (17,449,901
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (15,158,606       (29,620,073
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    34,574       724,712       139,473       3,178,936  

Class C

    1,492       27,271       53,240       885,112  

Administrator Class

    793,124       13,930,309       235,991       5,636,176  
 

 

 

 
      14,682,292         9,700,224  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    271,522       6,024,365       570,354       11,702,541  

Class C

    8,155       153,322       22,549       399,109  

Administrator Class

    396,996       8,870,564       839,325       17,324,595  
 

 

 

 
      15,048,251         29,426,245  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (430,823     (9,283,399     (456,015     (10,838,098

Class C

    (10,993     (204,548     (93,775     (1,785,908

Administrator Class

    (1,241,352     (23,720,814     (702,090     (16,078,144
 

 

 

 
      (33,208,761       (28,702,150
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (3,478,218       10,424,319  
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (10,326,254       (19,897,510
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      150,782,205         170,679,715  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 140,455,951       $ 150,782,205  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.36       $26.48       $29.37       $27.30       $32.37  

Net investment income

    0.11 1      0.18 1      0.16 1      0.13       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.18       (0.55     3.93       3.94       (1.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.29       (0.37     4.09       4.07       (1.39

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.17     (0.13     (0.17     (0.22     (0.08

Net realized gains

    (2.08     (4.62     (6.81     (1.78     (3.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.25     (4.75     (6.98     (2.00     (3.68

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.40       $21.36       $26.48       $29.37       $27.30  

Total return2

    5.27     (0.57 )%      14.68     15.59     (4.24 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.39     1.37     1.38     1.40     1.41

Net expenses3

    1.25     1.25     1.25     1.25     1.25

Net investment income3

    0.52     0.75     0.55     0.63     0.60

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    81     91     70     90     39

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $56,387       $61,692       $69,766       $68,678       $67,597  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.53

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.57

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.59

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $18.45       $23.58       $26.86       $25.12       $30.22  

Net investment loss

    (0.04 )1      (0.01 )1      (0.05 )1      (0.03 )1      (0.05 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.03       (0.50     3.58       3.57       (1.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.99       (0.51     3.53       3.54       (1.50

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.01     0.00       (0.00 )2      (0.02     0.00  

Net realized gains

    (2.08     (4.62     (6.81     (1.78     (3.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.09     (4.62     (6.81     (1.80     (3.60

Net asset value, end of period

    $17.35       $18.45       $23.58       $26.86       $25.12  

Total return3

    4.53     (1.34 )%      13.89     14.71     (4.96 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses4

    2.14     2.11     2.13     2.15     2.16

Net expenses4

    2.00     2.00     2.00     2.00     2.00

Net investment loss4

    (0.23 )%      (0.04 )%      (0.21 )%      (0.13 )%      (0.17 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate5

    81     91     70     90     39

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,317       $1,425       $2,245       $2,355       $2,846  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.53

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.57

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.59

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.47       $26.60       $29.46       $27.38       $32.45  

Net investment income

    0.17       0.24 1      0.23 1      0.24 1      0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.20       (0.57     3.95       3.91       (1.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.37       (0.33     4.18       4.15       (1.31

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.23     (0.18     (0.23     (0.29     (0.16

Net realized gains

    (2.08     (4.62     (6.81     (1.78     (3.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.31     (4.80     (7.04     (2.07     (3.76

Net asset value, end of period2

    $20.53       $21.47       $26.60       $29.46       $27.38  

Total return

    5.59     (0.35 )%      14.99     15.86     (3.98 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.31     1.29     1.30     1.32     1.33

Net expenses3

    1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income3

    0.77     1.00     0.79     0.87     0.85

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    81     91     70     90     39

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $82,752       $87,665       $98,668       $119,893       $140,963  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.53

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.57

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.59

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a fund-of-funds which seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in various diversified portfolios employing a multi-style equity investment approach designed to reduce the price and return volatility of the Fund and to provide more consistent returns. The Fund invests in multiple diversified portfolios (collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Services or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses, and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $136,812,933 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 11,771,397  

Gross unrealized losses

     (7,978,966

Net unrealized gains

   $ 3,792,431  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolios were measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The aggregate value of the affiliated Master Portfolios was $140,605,364. The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

   Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

   Seeks to replicate the total return of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

The affiliated Master Portfolios do not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and do not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets      Management fee

First $500 million

     0.30%

Next $500 million

     0.28

Next $2 billion

     0.26

Next $2 billion

     0.24

Next $5 billion

     0.23

Over $10 billion

     0.22

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from each affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Administrator Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses allocated from the Master Portfolios are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.25% for Class A shares, 2.00% for Class C shares, and 1.00% for Administrator Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. 

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $1,790 from the sale of Class A shares and $11 and $36 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class A and Class C shares, respectively.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in multiple affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $121,150,790 and $151,837,107, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 1,674,722      $ 5,593,514  

Long-term capital gain

     13,483,884        24,026,559  

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
$69,127    $3,722,707    $3,792,431

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 100% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $13,483,884 was designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $1,598,211 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $34,069 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee,
since 2015
  Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee,
since 2015;
Chair Liaison,
since 2018
  Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee,
since 2009;
Audit Committee Chairman,
since 2019
  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee,
since 2008;
Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018
  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee,
since 2009
  James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee,
since 2006;
Nominating and
Governance
Committee Chair,
since 2018
  International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee,
since 1996;
Chairman,
since 2018
  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee,
since 2018
  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020;
previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019
  Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen
(Born 1960)
  President,
since 2017
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1
(Born 1967)
  Treasurer,
since 2012
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee
(Born 1966)
 

Chief Legal
Officer,

since 2019

  Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy
(Born 1969)
  Secretary,
since 2019
  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker
(Born 1967)
  Chief Compliance
Officer,
since 2016
  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant
Treasurer,
since 2009
  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT:

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management agreement. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for the Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund (the “Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests all of its assets in multiple portfolios of Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Master Portfolios”).

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the approval of the Management Agreement. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Management Agreement by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management was guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to it by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Management Agreement, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Management Agreement for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Management Agreement for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approval was made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management under the Management Agreement. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management is a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s business continuity plan and of its approach to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than or in range of the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Diversified Equity Blended Index, which is a proprietary index used by the Board to help it assess the Fund’s relative performance, for the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and in range of its benchmark for the three-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Diversified Equity Blended Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Portfolio relative to its benchmark for the periods identified above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Portfolio’s investment performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolios, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Management Agreement.

Investment management fee rates

The Board noted that the Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests in multiple Master Portfolios and therefore Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual fee at a certain annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Fund, including allocating the Fund’s assets among the various Master Portfolios. For the year ended May 31, 2019, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

 

 

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Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Management Agreement.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about fees earned by Funds Management and its affiliate from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Management Agreement for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management was reasonable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  29


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Table of Contents

Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1)the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in anon-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  33


Table of Contents

Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

34  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a13-month period of time.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00254 07-20

A281/AR281 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   13
Statement of operations   14
Statement of changes in net assets   15
Financial highlights   16
Notes to financial statements   20
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   27
Other information   28
Appendix I   36
Appendix II   37
Appendix III   39
Appendix IV   40

 

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks total return, consisting of current income and capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA® , FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA® , FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WFMAX)   1-30-2004     -0.42       3.02       5.95       5.65       4.25       6.58       1.40       1.15  
                   
Class C (WFBCX)   1-30-2004     3.89       3.46       5.78       4.89       3.46       5.78       2.15       1.90  
                   
Administrator Class (NVMBX)   11-11-1994                       5.94       4.51       6.84       1.32       0.90  
                   
Institutional Class (WFMYX)3   7-31-2018                       6.02       4.55       6.86       1.07       0.80  
                   
Moderate Balanced Blended Index4                         8.64       5.36       6.72              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index5                         9.42       3.94       3.92              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Short Treasury 9-12 Months Index6                         3.13       1.56       0.95              
                   
MSCI EAFE Index (Net)7                         -2.81       0.79       5.27              
                   
Russell 1000® Growth Index8                         26.25       14.50       16.07              
                   
Russell 1000® Value Index9                         -1.64       4.36       9.85              
                   
Russell 2000® Index10                         -3.44       3.72       9.23              
                   
S&P 500 Index11                         12.84       9.86       13.15              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). This Fund is exposed to mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 202012

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.49% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.15% for Class A, 1.90% for Class C, 0.90% for Administrator Class, and 0.80% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios and funds invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. All other acquired fund fees and expenses from the affiliated master portfolios and funds are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and is not adjusted to reflect Institutional Class share expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

4 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Moderate Balanced Blended Index is composed 45% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 15% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Short Treasury 9-12 Months Index, 10% of the Russell 1000® Growth Index, 10% of the Russell 1000® Value Index, 10% of the S&P 500 Index, 6% of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), and 4% of the Russell 2000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Short Treasury 9–12 Months Index is an unmanaged index that includes aged U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds with a remaining maturity from 9 up to (but not including) 12 months. It excludes zero-coupon STRIPS. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

10 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Moderate Balanced Blended Index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Short Treasury 9–12 Months Index, the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), the Russell 1000® Growth Index, the Russell 1000® Value Index, the Russell 2000® Index, and the S&P 500 Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

13 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

14 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such futures positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

15 

The Nasdaq 100 Index is an unmanaged group of the 100 biggest companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index. The list is updated quarterly, and companies on this index are typically representative of technology-related industries, such as computer hardware and software products, telecommunications, biotechnology, and retail/wholesale trade. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund underperformed the Moderate Balanced Blended Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Relative underperformance by three of the underlying investments (two equity and one fixed income) were the most significant detractors from performance over the period.

 

 

On a relative basis, about one-third of underlying investments outperformed their respective benchmarks, while the tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlay, a futures strategy, added to performance through the period.

Market returns were positive despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets post a +12.84% return, as reflected by the S&P 500 Index, and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets post a +9.42% return, as reflected by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most any historical 12-month period. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed over one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 202013  
   

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

    29.20  
   

Wells Fargo Conservative Income Fund Institutional Class

    14.54  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    8.24  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    7.12  
   

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    6.81  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    6.35  
   

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

    6.18  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    4.40  
   

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    3.41  
   

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    3.05  
Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation14
 
     

Bonds

     60        65  
     

Stocks

     40        38  
     

Effective Cash

     0        (3)  
 

 

We adjusted Fund allocations throughout the period.

Over the period, we made a few minor changes that affected the Fund’s underlying sleeves. We started the period with a dedicated holding in the U.S. consumer staples stocks; we eliminated this position in March 2020. In May of 2020, we established a new position in a U.S. high-yield corporate bond portfolio. This was funded by reducing our exposure to both existing investment-grade fixed-income and equity holdings.

The Fund’s tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlay was active throughout the year. We held short-term short positions in S&P 500 Index futures in June 2019 and again in August through October 2019. With respect to the 10-year Treasury contract activity, we established short positions in June and again from August through January 2020. The Fund was engaged in various other overlay trades during the period. We started the period long the Japanese yen and closed the position in August 2019. In July 2019, we hedged a portion of our euro exposure; we covered in February 2020. In October, we established a paired trade short Hong Kong/long Singapore equities; we closed this trade late in January 2020. In April 2020, we established a paired trade long Hong Kong/short European stocks; we closed this trade near the end of May. In January 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade long Nasdaq 100 Index15/short S&P 500 Index; this trade remained in effect at period-end. In March 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade short Russell 2000® Index/long S&P 500 Index; this trade also remain in effect at period-end. In May, we established a short position in the sterling; this trade remained in effect at period-end.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Several underlying investment sleeves underperformed during the period.

Over the period, a number of the underlying investment sleeves underperformed their specific benchmarks. For most of these sleeves, the underperformance was small and only detracted a few basis points from performance. Large-cap U.S. growth stocks enjoyed a remarkable return of more than +26% over the trailing 12 months; due to conservative positioning, our holdings in this space returned “only” +16%. This was the largest single detractor from relative performance over the period. Fixed-income markets, in particular longer-term government bonds (government bonds with 10+ years to maturity) also performed well as they returned more than 20% over the 12-month period. Our largest fixed-income sleeve had significant credit exposure. While the sleeve still produced positive results, credit underperformed government and this sleeve lagged its benchmark. Growth stocks tended to perform better than value stocks in both the domestic and foreign markets over the 12-month period. Our holdings within the foreign value space underperformed the broad foreign markets and this also detracted from performance.

Many of the actively managed sleeves outperformed their specific benchmarks, which contributed to performance. Strong security selection added value within the portfolio’s U.S. large cap (value), U.S. small cap, foreign developed, and emerging market sleeves. Additionally, the TAA overlay performed well over the trailing three-month period that covered the coronavirus-related sell-off and recovery and added value over the 12-month period.

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely that we will hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of the coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here will be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Investors went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 994.93      $ 5.39        1.08

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.60      $ 5.45        1.08
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 991.28      $ 9.12        1.83

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.84      $ 9.24        1.83
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 996.39      $ 4.14        0.83

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.85      $ 4.19        0.83
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 996.85      $ 3.66        0.73

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.34      $ 3.70        0.73

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 98.95%           
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 82.77%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

           $ 4,377,869  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

             10,568,323  

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

             3,902,638  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

             8,148,859  

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

             9,130,641  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

             1,347,421  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

             1,078,985  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

             7,926,886  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

             3,917,552  

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

             8,743,164  

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

             37,469,342  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

             5,640,392  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

             1,332,514  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

             2,622,554  
             106,207,140  
          

 

 

 
          
                  Shares         
Affiliated Funds: 16.18%                           

Wells Fargo Conservative Income Fund Institutional Class

          1,861,676        18,653,995  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

          44,385        1,069,244  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

          111,736        1,035,794  
             20,759,033  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $115,159,563)

                              126,966,173  
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $115,159,563)     98.95            126,966,173  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.05              1,344,626  
 

 

 

          

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00          $    128,310,799  
 

 

 

          

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description   

Number of

contracts

    

Expiration

date

    

Notional

cost

    

Notional

value

    

Unrealized

gains

    

Unrealized

losses

 

Long

                 

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     37        6-19-2020      $ 5,286,301      $ 7,074,585      $ 1,788,284      $ 0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     9        6-19-2020        1,067,038        1,368,900        301,862        0  

Short

                 

British Pound Futures

     (66)        6-15-2020        (5,026,956      (5,084,475      0        (57,519

Russell 2000 E-Mini Index

     (60)        6-19-2020        (3,003,204      (4,178,400      0        (1,175,196
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 2,090,146      $ (1,232,715
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Shares,

beginning of

period

   

Shares

purchased

   

Shares

sold

   

Shares,

end of

period

    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
   

Value,

end of

period

   

% of

net

assets

 
Investment Companies                                                      

Affiliated Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Conservative Income Fund Institutional Class

    1,900,364       211,454       (250,142     1,861,676     $ (16,766   $ 56,162     $ 410,121     $ 18,653,995    

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    43,068       8,932       (7,615     44,385       13,302       29,147       11,978       1,069,244    

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

    97,693       29,233       (15,190     111,736       (1,795     (120,747     26,760       1,035,794    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (5,259   $ (35,438   $ 448,859     $ 20,759,033       16.18
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

   

% of

ownership,

beginning

of period

   

% of

ownership,

end of

period

   

Net realized

gains

(losses) on

securities

transactions

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses) on

securities

transactions

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Interest

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Dividends

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Affiliated

income

allocated

from

affiliates

Master

Portfolios

   

Value,

end

of period

   

% of

net

assets

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    1.15     1.53   $ 366,968     $ (411,631   $ 0     $ 82,177     $ 2,664     $ 4,377,869    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.20       0.18       676,448       58,745       293,302       0       3,869       10,568,323    

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    1.79       2.18       (46,051     191,521       0       46,176       3,235       3,902,638    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    3.78       3.21       (329,975     1,451,722       82       246,968       1,592       8,148,859    

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    3.35       4.03       809,827       666,802       0       93,080       1,957       9,130,641    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.15       0.19       211,706       38,301       0       1,247       1,116       1,347,421    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    0.41       0.53       (114,140     (32,238     96       29,054       375       1,078,985    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

    0.00       4.64       (3,459     (32,577     887       0       78       7,926,886    

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    0.35       0.50       (60,633     (275,707     0       121,753       2,463       3,917,552    

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    3.26       3.93       (856,067     902,288       126       203,775       1,537       8,743,164    

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

    6.90       8.11       1,198,954       397,597       1,387,974       0       10,420       37,469,342    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    3.14       3.48       (101,742     301,658       124,910       19,737       939       5,640,392    

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    0.07       0.10       265,726       (157,329     0       7,240       885       1,332,514    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    1.87       0.65       (259,028     (14,558     0       48,082       1,826       2,622,554    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 1,758,534     $ 3,084,594     $ 1,807,377     $ 899,289     $ 32,956     $ 106,207,140       82.77
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (cost $94,474,918)

  $ 106,207,140  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $20,684,645)

    20,759,033  

Cash

    26,108  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    1,227,936  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    127,623  

Receivable for dividends

    22,848  

Receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    126,323  

Receivable from manager

    1,700  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    2,338  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    128,501,049  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    103,267  

Administration fees payable

    16,446  

Distribution fee payable

    4,917  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    31,190  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    24,429  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    884  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    9,117  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    190,250  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 128,310,799  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 114,403,610  

Total distributable earnings

    13,907,189  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 128,310,799  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 31,333,642  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    1,501,334  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $20.87  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $22.14  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 7,935,071  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    390,889  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $20.30  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 78,537,648  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    3,721,890  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $21.10  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 10,504,438  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    496,835  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $21.14  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $9)

  $ 1,807,377  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $41,328)

    899,289  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

    448,859  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    32,956  

Dividends

    31,815  

Interest

    4,492  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (503,151

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    28,120  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,749,757  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    383,962  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    64,831  

Class C

    17,331  

Administrator Class

    102,728  

Institutional Class

    12,793  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    77,180  

Class C

    20,632  

Administrator Class

    197,554  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    61,897  

Custody and accounting fees

    8,587  

Professional fees

    31,191  

Registration fees

    76,789  

Shareholder report expenses

    60,551  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    21,297  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,158,915  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (275,745

Class A

    (417

Administrator Class

    (137,992

Institutional Class

    (2,096
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    742,665  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,007,092  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    1,758,534  

Unaffiliated securities

    316,032  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    (5,259

Futures contracts

    (585,351
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    1,483,956  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    3,084,594  

Unaffiliated securities

    (85,855

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    (35,438

Futures contracts

    638,536  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    3,601,837  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5,085,793  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 7,092,885  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 2,007,092       $ 2,497,871  

Net realized gains on investments

      1,483,956         1,258,344  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      3,601,837         (394,654
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      7,092,885         3,361,561  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (949,542       (3,737,616

Class C

      (193,050       (1,254,911

Administrator Class

      (2,564,416       (10,246,697

Institutional Class

      (332,334       (1,267,462 )1 
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (4,039,342       (16,506,686
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    314,459       6,582,803       444,234       9,499,182  

Class C

    80,214       1,612,864       144,391       2,961,750  

Administrator Class

    270,029       5,728,452       387,699       8,499,230  

Institutional Class

    112,688       2,401,546       503,047 1      11,157,702 1 
 

 

 

 
      16,325,665         32,117,864  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    42,968       914,528       179,435       3,535,133  

Class C

    9,165       189,731       63,450       1,215,365  

Administrator Class

    118,939       2,558,445       512,778       10,216,092  

Institutional Class

    15,389       331,571       63,414 1      1,264,356 1 
 

 

 

 
      3,994,275         16,230,946  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (336,995     (6,989,591     (550,017     (11,776,841

Class C

    (128,163     (2,596,917     (240,319     (4,860,142

Administrator Class

    (470,413     (9,914,992     (1,991,930     (44,740,421

Institutional Class

    (61,855     (1,282,623     (135,848 )1      (2,646,480 )1 
 

 

 

 
      (20,784,123       (64,023,884
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (464,183       (15,675,074
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      2,589,360         (28,820,199
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      125,721,439         154,541,638  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 128,310,799       $ 125,721,439  
 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31 2018 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.35       $22.73       $23.47       $22.51       $23.57  

Net investment income

    0.30       0.36 1      0.29       0.28       0.28 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.86       0.11       0.97       1.34       (0.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.16       0.47       1.26       1.62       0.05  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.35     (0.42     (0.32     (0.29     (0.26

Net realized gains

    (0.29     (2.43     (1.68     (0.37     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.64     (2.85     (2.00     (0.66     (1.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.87       $20.35       $22.73       $23.47       $22.51  

Total return2

    5.65     2.68     5.38     7.33     0.34

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.30     1.31     1.33     1.32     1.32

Net expenses3

    1.08     1.12     1.13     1.15     1.15

Net investment income3

    1.43     1.65     1.42     1.25     1.26

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    119     191     113     114     87

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $31,334       $30,132       $31,980       $36,679       $35,993  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.47

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $19.80       $22.20       $22.97       $22.05       $23.18  

Net investment income

    0.09       0.12       0.10       0.11 1      0.11 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.88       0.18       0.95       1.32       (0.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.97       0.30       1.05       1.43       (0.12

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.18     (0.27     (0.14     (0.14     (0.16

Net realized gains

    (0.29     (2.43     (1.68     (0.37     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.47     (2.70     (1.82     (0.51     (1.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.30       $19.80       $22.20       $22.97       $22.05  

Total return2

    4.89     1.90     4.56     6.56     (0.44 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    2.05     2.06     2.08     2.07     2.07

Net expenses3

    1.84     1.87     1.88     1.90     1.90

Net investment income3

    0.69     0.89     0.66     0.50     0.51

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    119     191     113     114     87

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $7,935       $8,509       $10,260       $12,180       $12,501  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.47

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.56       $22.94       $23.68       $22.70       $23.75  

Net investment income

    0.35 1      0.41 1      0.38       0.35 1      0.32  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.88       0.12       0.94       1.35       (0.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.23       0.53       1.32       1.70       0.11  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.40     (0.48     (0.38     (0.35     (0.31

Net realized gains

    (0.29     (2.43     (1.68     (0.37     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.69     (2.91     (2.06     (0.72     (1.16

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.10       $20.56       $22.94       $23.68       $22.70  

Total return

    5.94     2.95     5.59     7.62     0.59

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.22     1.23     1.25     1.24     1.23

Net expenses2

    0.83     0.87     0.88     0.90     0.90

Net investment income2

    1.69     1.88     1.67     1.49     1.48

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    119     191     113     114     87

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $78,538       $78,209       $112,302       $112,835       $156,915  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.47

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     20191  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.60       $23.24  

Net investment income

    0.37 2      0.37 2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.88       (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.25       0.25  

Distributions to shareholders from

   

Net investment income

    (0.42     (0.46

Net realized gains

    (0.29     (2.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.71     (2.89

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.14       $20.60  

Total return3

    6.02     1.72

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

   

Gross expenses4

    0.97     0.98

Net expenses4

    0.74     0.75

Net investment income4

    1.78     2.15

Supplemental data

   

Portfolio turnover rate5

    119     191

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $10,504       $8,871  

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 20191

    0.38

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests in various affiliated mutual funds (“Underlying Funds”) employing a multi-asset, multi-style investment approach designed to reduce the price and return volatility of the Fund and to provide more consistent returns. The Underlying Funds incur separate expenses in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds may also include investments in one or more separate diversified portfolios (collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Services or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust. The financial statements for all other Underlying Funds are also publicly available on the SEC website at sec.gov.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued at net asset per share as reported by the Underlying Funds as of the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. A Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates, security values, and of foreign exchange rates and is subject to

 

 

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interest rate risk, equity price risk, and foreign currency risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Income dividends and capital gain distributions from investment companies are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions from investment companies are treated as realized gains.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $115,921,681 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 12,006,927  

Gross unrealized losses

     (105,004

Net unrealized gains

   $ 11,901,923  

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

At May 31, 2020, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Paid-in capital    Total distributable
earnings
$(1,380)    $1,380

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in investment companies

   $ 20,759,033      $ 0      $ 0      $ 20,759,033  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                106,207,140  
     20,759,033        0        0        126,966,173  

Futures contracts

     2,090,146        0        0        2,090,146  

Total assets

   $ 22,849,179      $ 0      $ 0      $ 129,056,319  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 1,232,715        0        0      $ 1,232,715  

Total liabilities

   $ 1,232,715      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,232,715  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $106,207,140. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

   Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo Factor

Enhanced Emerging Markets Index (Net), before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

   Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo U.S. High Yield Bond Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

   Seeks consistent fixed-income returns

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee

First $500 million

   0.30%

Next $500 million

   0.28

Next $2 billion

   0.26

Next $2 billion

   0.24

Next $5 billion

   0.23

Over $10 billion

   0.22

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.10% and declining to 0.05% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

 

 

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Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolios are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.15% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares, 0.90% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.80% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. 

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $5,953 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of its average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in multiple affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of unaffiliated securities in which the Fund invests are actual purchases and sale of those securities. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$68,955,216      $74,251,911      $71,771,843      $86,700,028

6. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended May 31, 2020, the Fund entered into futures contracts for to gain market exposure to certain asset classes consistent with its asset allocation strategy. The Fund had an average notional amount of $9,102,098 in long futures contracts and $7,360,137 in short futures contracts during the year ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

A summary of the location of derivative instruments on the financial statements by risk is outlined in the following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of May 31, 2020 by risk type was as follows for the Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
     Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 2,090,146    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 1,175,196

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      0    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      57,519
          $ 2,090,146           $ 1,232,715  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of May 31, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows for the Fund:

 

      

Amount of realized

gains (losses) on
derivatives

      

Change in unrealized

gains (losses) on
derivatives

 

Equity risk

     $ (397,398      $ 792,325  

Foreign currency risk

       22,313          (153,789

Interest rate risk

       (210,266        0  
       $ (585,351      $ 638,536  

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 2,511,754      $ 4,099,500  

Long-term capital gain

     1,527,588        12,407,186  

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
$452,276    $1,552,990    $11,901,923

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent, and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26.83% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $1,527,588 was designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $934,668 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $1,419,420 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, 3.62% of the ordinary income distributed was derived from interest on U.S. government securities.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee,
since 2015
  Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee,
since 2015;
Chair Liaison,
since 2018
  Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee,
since 2009;
Audit Committee Chairman,
since 2019
  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee,
since 2008;
Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018
  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee,
since 2009
  James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee,
since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair,
since 2018
  International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee,
since 1996; Chairman,
since 2018
  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee,
since 2018
  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee,
since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019
  Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen
(Born 1960)
  President,
since 2017
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer,
since 2012
  Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.
Michelle Rhee
(Born 1966)
  Chief Legal Officer,
since 2019
  Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary,
since 2019
  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker
(Born 1967)
  Chief Compliance Officer,
since 2016
  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer,
since 2009
  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.” The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests all of its assets in multiple portfolios of Wells Fargo Master Trust.

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

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Fund Investment Performance and Expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than or in range of the average investment performance of the Universe for the five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Moderate Balanced Blended Index, for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and higher than its benchmark index for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Moderate Balanced Blended Index, for the one-, three- and five -year periods ended March 31, 2020, and in range of its benchmark index for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods identified above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Fund’s investment performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment Management and Sub-Advisory Fee Rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates, which include the advisory fees paid at the master portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were higher than the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes. However, the Board also noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class, and that the Fund was benefitting from advisory fee breakpoints through the master portfolios in which it invests.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

 

 

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The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other Benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.

 

Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney
Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1)the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in anon-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a13-month period of time.

 

 

40  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00249 07-20

A279/AR279 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   13
Statement of operations   14
Statement of changes in net assets   15
Financial highlights   16
Notes to financial statements   19
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   26
Other information   27
Appendix I   35
Appendix II   36
Appendix III   38
Appendix IV   39

 

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and
shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/advantage
delivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

resigned, many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA® , FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA® , FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WFGBX)   10-14-1998     -0.74       3.46       7.78       5.31       4.70       8.42       1.40       1.13  
                   
Class C (WFGWX)   10-1-1998     3.52       3.91       7.61       4.52       3.91       7.61       2.15       1.88  
                   
Administrator Class (NVGBX)   11-11-1994                       5.51       4.93       8.68       1.32       0.95  
                   
Growth Balanced Blended Index3                         8.28       6.21       8.86              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4                         9.42       3.94       3.92              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)5                         -3.43       0.79       4.38              
                   
Russell 3000® Index6                         11.46       9.17       12.80              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk, mortgage and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20207

LOGO

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.55% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.13% for Class A, 1.88% for Class C, and 0.95% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios and funds invest and from any money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. All other acquired fund fees and expenses from the affiliated master portfolios and funds are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Growth Balanced Blended Index is composed 45% of the Russell 3000® Index, 35% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and 20% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). Prior to November 30, 2017, the Growth Balanced Blended Index was composed 35% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 16.25% of the Russell 1000® Growth Index, 16.25% of the Russell 1000® Value Index, 16.25% of the S&P 500 Index, 9.75% of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), and 6.50% of the Russell 2000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Growth Balanced Blended Index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), and the Russell 3000® Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

8 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

10 

The Nasdaq 100 Index is an unmanaged group of the 100 biggest companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index. The list is updated quarterly, and companies on this index are typically representative of technology-related industries, such as computer hardware and software products, telecommunications, biotechnology, and retail/wholesale trade. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such futures positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Growth Balanced Blended Index, for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Relative underperformance by three of the underlying investments (two equity and one fixed income) were the most significant detractors from performance over the period.

 

 

On a relative basis, about one-third of underlying investments outperformed their respective benchmarks, while the tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlay, a futures strategy, added to performance through the period.

Market returns were positive despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 Index8, post a +12.84% return and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, post a +9.42% return. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most any historical 12-month period. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index8 reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed over one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20209  
   

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

     21.89  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

     10.67  
   

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

     10.15  
   

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

     9.84  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     9.61  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

     8.78  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

     6.37  
   

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

     6.16  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

     3.41  
   

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

     3.03  

We adjusted allocations throughout the period.

Over the period, we made a few minor changes that affected the Fund’s underlying sleeves. We started the period with a dedicated holding in the U.S. consumer staples stocks; we eliminated this position in March 2020. In May of 2020, we established a new position in a U.S. high-yield corporate bond portfolio. This was funded by reducing our exposure to both existing investment-grade fixed-income and equity holdings.

The Fund’s tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlay was active throughout the year. We held short-term short positions in S&P 500 Index futures in June 2019 and again in August

 

through October 2019. With respect to the 10-year Treasury contract activity, we established short positions in June and again from August through January 2020. The Fund engaged in various other overlay trades during the period. We started the period long the Japanese yen and closed the position in August 2019. In July 2019, we hedged a portion of our euro exposure; we covered in February 2020. In October, we established a paired trade short Hong Kong/long Singapore equities; we closed this trade late in January 2020. In April 2020, we established a paired trade long Hong Kong/short European stocks; we closed the trade near the end of May. In January 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade long Nasdaq 100 Index10/short S&P 500; this trade remained in effect at period-end. In March 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade short Russell 2000® Index11/long S&P 500; this trade also remained in effect at period-end. In May, we established a short position in the sterling; this trade remained in effect at period-end.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020   Neutral
allocation
    Effective
allocation12
 
     

Stocks

    65       63  
     

Bonds

    35       40  
     

Effective Cash

    0       (3)  

Portfolio management addressed major contributors and detractors from performance throughout the period.

Over the period, a number of the underlying investment sleeves underperformed their specific benchmarks. For most of these sleeves, the underperformance was small and only

 

detracted a few basis points from performance. However, a bulk of the Fund’s underperformance can be traced to three specific holdings. Large-cap U.S. growth stocks enjoyed a remarkable return of more than +26% over the trailing 12 months; due to conservative positioning, our holdings in this space returned “only” +16%. This was the largest single detractor from relative performance over the period. Fixed-income markets, in particular longer-term government bonds (government bonds with 10+ years to maturity) also performed well as they returned more than 20% over the 12-month period. Our largest fixed-income sleeve had significant credit exposure. While the sleeve still produced positive results, credit underperformed government and this sleeve lagged its benchmark. Growth stocks tended to perform better than value stocks in both the domestic and foreign markets over the period. Our holdings within the foreign value space underperformed the broad foreign markets and this also detracted from performance.

Many of the actively managed sleeves outperformed their specific benchmarks, which contributed to performance. Strong security selection added value within the portfolio’s U.S. large cap (value), U.S. small cap, foreign developed, and emerging market sleeves. Additionally, the TAA overlay performed well over the trailing three-month period that covered the coronavirus-related sell-off and recovery and added value over the 12-month period.

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely that we would hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here may be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Investors went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 969.76      $ 5.14        1.04

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.78      $ 5.28        1.04
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 966.08      $ 8.82        1.80

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.02      $ 9.05        1.80
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 970.71      $ 4.18        0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.75      $ 4.29        0.85

 

 

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Investment Companies: 98.92%                           
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 85.63%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

           $ 6,307,137  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

             13,260,104  

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

             18,276,551  

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

             20,017,282  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

             2,386,284  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

             2,790,445  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

             12,816,927  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

             20,496,451  

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

             21,128,495  

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

             45,572,817  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

             7,092,051  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

             2,403,264  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

             5,757,094  
             178,304,902  
          

 

 

 
Affiliated Funds: 13.29%                           

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

          1,267,610        22,208,533  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

          114,575        2,760,102  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

          290,127        2,689,475  
             27,658,110  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $180,978,307)

             205,963,012        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $180,978,307)     98.92        205,963,012  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.08          2,256,819  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 208,219,831  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     58        6-19-2020      $ 8,300,207      $ 11,089,890      $ 2,789,683      $ 0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     14        6-19-2020        1,659,837        2,129,400        469,563        0  

Short

                 

British Pound Futures

     (105)        6-15-2020        (7,996,996      (8,088,938      0        (91,942

Russell 2000 E-Mini Index

     (95)        6-19-2020        (4,755,367      (6,615,800      0        (1,860,433
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 3,259,246      $ (1,952,375
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Shares,
beginning of
period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
   

Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
capital gain
distributions
from
affiliated

Underlying

Funds

    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 
Investment Companies                                                            

Affiliated Funds

                   

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

    1,688,112       380,892       (801,394     1,267,610     $ (589,204   $ 578,012     $ 2,697,621     $ 1,143,105     $ 22,208,533    

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    123,717       17,744       (26,886     114,575       12,257       0       52,741       32,308       2,760,102    

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

    279,883       63,976       (53,732     290,127       73,935       0       (321,464     73,300       2,689,475    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (503,012   $ 578,012     $ 2,428,898     $ 1,248,713     $ 27,658,110       13.29
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
   

Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios

   

Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios

    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliates
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    1.85     2.20   $ 1,067,929     $ (1,085,206   $ 0     $ 60,843     $ 4,086     $ 6,307,137    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.27       0.23       970,745       (42,410     380,206       0       5,084       13,260,104    

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    9.46       10.20       (125,219     821,639       0       165,068       15,858       18,276,551    

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    8.30       8.84       1,842,085       1,495,391       0       143,523       4,569       20,017,282    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.30       0.33       427,738       21,674       0       2,344       2,129       2,386,284    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    1.17       1.38       (294,358     (85,066     339       69,918       1,013       2,790,445    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

    0.00       7.51       17,042       (68,998     2,104       0       92       12,816,927    

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    2.01       2.59       (672,004     (1,081,018     0       555,303       14,510       20,496,451    

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    8.81       9.50       (2,080,180     2,191,329       913       302,675       3,885       21,128,495    

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

    9.61       9.86       1,754,953       320,068       1,828,402       0       13,759       45,572,817    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    4.36       4.38       (107,167     365,570       166,521       2,896       1,227       7,092,051    

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    0.14       0.17       569,184       (358,380     0       5,805       1,686       2,403,264    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    4.60       1.43       (812,766     245,474       0       91,373       4,220       5,757,094    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 2,557,982     $ 2,740,067     $ 2,378,485     $ 1,399,748     $ 72,118     $ 178,304,902       85.63
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (cost $153,947,583)

  $ 178,304,902  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $27,030,724)

    27,658,110  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    1,930,894  

Receivable for investments sold

    4,328,813  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    321,848  

Receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    198,872  

Receivable from manager

    6,153  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    8,657  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    212,758,249  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    164,259  

Overdraft due to custodian bank

    4,216,814  

Administration fees payable

    27,505  

Distribution fee payable

    6,361  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    42,700  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    780  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    79,999  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,538,418  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 208,219,831  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 184,229,388  

Total distributable earnings

    23,990,443  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 208,219,831  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 68,580,681  

Shares outstanding Class A1

    1,480,218  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $46.33  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A²

    $49.16  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 10,107,886  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    253,895  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $39.81  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 129,531,264  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    3,172,459  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $40.83  

 

1 

Each Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $127)

  $ 2,378,485  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $171,062)

    1,399,748  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

    1,248,713  

Dividends

    146,972  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    72,118  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (1,018,954

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    49,793  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,276,875  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    647,559  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    145,506  

Class C

    22,856  

Administrator Class

    176,385  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    173,221  

Class C

    27,210  

Administrator Class

    338,975  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    81,630  

Custody and accounting fees

    10,501  

Professional fees

    33,816  

Registration fees

    76,789  

Shareholder report expenses

    68,377  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    24,554  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,848,971  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (579,893

Class A

    (190

Class C

    (1

Administrator Class

    (157,083
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,111,804  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3,165,071  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    2,557,982  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    (503,012

Capital gain distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds

    578,012  

Unaffiliated securities

    1,328,269  

Futures contracts

    (996,192
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    2,965,059  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    2,740,067  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    2,428,898  

Unaffiliated securities

    (490,499

Futures contracts

    913,423  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5,591,889  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    8,556,948  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 11,722,019  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 3,165,071       $ 3,778,315  

Net realized gains on investments

      2,965,059         2,328,996  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      5,591,889         (4,744,335
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      11,722,019         1,362,976  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

 

Class A

      (1,899,671       (2,868,465

Class C

      (252,329       (821,665

Administrator Class

      (4,326,341       (8,192,333
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (6,478,341       (11,882,463
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares  

Proceeds from shares sold

 

Class A

    130,896       6,205,787       351,190       16,023,191  

Class C

    38,064       1,521,837       127,101       5,033,403  

Administrator Class

    252,894       10,053,081       235,971       9,699,484  
 

 

 

 
      17,780,705         30,756,078  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

 

Class A

    38,579       1,874,625       65,968       2,829,512  

Class C

    5,569       231,803       21,059       783,461  

Administrator Class

    100,724       4,319,406       215,612       8,181,819  
 

 

 

 
      6,425,834         11,794,792  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

 

Class A

    (213,827     (9,907,481     (218,329     (9,976,679

Class C

    (83,327     (3,328,464     (262,051     (10,188,823

Administrator Class

    (656,994     (27,048,981     (731,787     (29,822,377
 

 

 

 
      (40,284,926       (49,987,879
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (16,078,387       (7,437,009
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (10,834,709       (17,956,496
 

 

 

 

Net assets

 

Beginning of period

      219,054,540         237,011,036  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 208,219,831       $ 219,054,540  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.15       $47.12       $43.91       $39.99       $40.80  

Net investment income

    0.65 1      0.72 1      0.53       0.41       0.46  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.80       (0.60     3.13       3.93       (0.94
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.45       0.12       3.66       4.34       (0.48

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.47     (1.26     (0.45     (0.42     (0.33

Net realized gains

    (0.80     (0.83     0.00       0.00       0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.27     (2.09     (0.45     (0.42     (0.33

Net asset value, end of period

    $46.33       $45.15       $47.12       $43.91       $39.99  

Total return2

    5.31     0.53     8.34     10.93     (1.14 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.32     1.33     1.35     1.34     1.35

Net expenses3

    1.04     1.07     1.17     1.20     1.20

Net investment income3

    1.40     1.55     1.27     1.10     1.10

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    116     149     114     114     79

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $68,581       $68,832       $62,473       $65,514       $65,866  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.45

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.47

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.51

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $38.95       $40.86       $38.14       $34.82       $35.63  

Net investment income

    0.26 1      0.37 1      0.14       0.13 1      0.12 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.54       (0.56     2.74       3.38       (0.79
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.80       (0.19     2.88       3.51       (0.67

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.14     (0.89     (0.16     (0.19     (0.14

Net realized gains

    (0.80     (0.83     0.00       0.00       0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.94     (1.72     (0.16     (0.19     (0.14

Net asset value, end of period

    $39.81       $38.95       $40.86       $38.14       $34.82  

Total return2

    4.52     (0.23 )%      7.55     10.10     (1.88 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    2.07     2.08     2.10     2.09     2.10

Net expenses3

    1.79     1.82     1.92     1.95     1.95

Net investment income3

    0.64     0.93     0.52     0.35     0.36

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    116     149     114     114     79

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $10,108       $11,434       $16,649       $16,463       $16,225  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.45

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.48

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.50

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $39.93       $42.04       $39.22       $35.78       $36.54  

Net investment income

    0.84       1.05       0.75       0.50 1      0.49  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.41       (0.90     2.63       3.47       (0.82
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.25       0.15       3.38       3.97       (0.33

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.55     (1.43     (0.56     (0.53     (0.43

Net realized gains

    (0.80     (0.83     0.00       0.00       0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.35     (2.26     (0.56     (0.53     (0.43

Net asset value, end of period

    $40.83       $39.93       $42.04       $39.22       $35.78  

Total return

    5.51     0.70     8.63     11.19     (0.86 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.24     1.25     1.27     1.26     1.27

Net expenses2

    0.86     0.89     0.92     0.95     0.95

Net investment income2

    1.57     1.72     1.51     1.34     1.35

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    116     149     114     114     79

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $129,531       $138,788       $157,889       $162,693       $175,715  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.45

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.47

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.50

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests in various affiliated mutual funds (“Underlying Funds”) employing a multi-asset, multi-style investment approach designed to reduce the price and return volatility of the Fund and to provide more consistent returns. The Fund may also invest directly in securities. The Underlying Funds incur separate expenses in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds may also include investments in one or more separate diversified portfolios (collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Services or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust. The financial statements for all other Underlying Funds are also publicly available on the SEC website at sec.gov.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued at net asset per share as reported by the Underlying Funds as of the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates, security values, and foreign exchange rates and is

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

subject to interest rate risk, equity price risk, and foreign currency risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses, and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Income dividends and capital gain distributions from investment companies are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions from investment companies are treated as realized gains.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $184,831,052 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 25,880,393  

Gross unrealized losses

     (3,441,562

Net unrealized gains

   $ 22,438,831  

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The primary permanent difference

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

causing such reclassification is due to foreign currency transactions. At May 31, 2020, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Paid-in capital   

Total distributable

earnings

$63,689    $(63,689)

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in investment companies

   $ 27,658,110      $ 0      $ 0      $ 27,658,110  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                178,304,902  
     27,658,110        0        0        205,963,012  

Futures contracts

     3,259,246        0        0        3,259,246  

Total assets

   $ 30,917,356      $ 0      $ 0      $ 209,222,258  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 1,952,375      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,952,375  

Total liabilities

   $ 1,952,375      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,952,375  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $178,304,902. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

  

Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and

capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo Factor

Enhanced Emerging Markets Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

   Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo U.S. High Yield Bond Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

   Seeks consistent fixed-income returns

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.30

Next $500 million

     0.28  

Next $2 billion

     0.26  

Next $2 billion

     0.24  

Next $5 billion

     0.23  

Over $10 billion

     0.22  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from each affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.10% and declining to 0.05% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Administrator Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolios are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.13% for Class A shares, 1.88% for Class C shares, and 0.95% for Administrator Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $4,965 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in multiple affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of unaffiliated securities in which the Fund invests are actual purchases and sale of those securities. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$86,131,751      $160,541,386      $89,612,442      $193,043,886

6. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended May 31, 2020, the Fund entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure to certain asset classes consistent with its asset allocation strategy. The Fund had an average notional amount of $15,614,151 in long futures contracts and $12,859,433 in short futures contracts during the year ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

A summary of the location of derivative instruments on the financial statements by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of May 31, 2020 by risk type was as follows for the Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 3,259,246    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 1,860,433

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      0    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      91,942
          $ 3,259,246           $ 1,952,375  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2019 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows for the Fund:

 

        Amount of realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 429,954        $ 1,178,995  

Interest rate risk

       (330,756        0  

Foreign currency risk

       (1,095,390        (265,572
       $ (996,192      $ 913,423  

8. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based

on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

9. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 2,819,244      $ 8,735,539  

Long-term capital gain

     3,659,097        3,146,924  

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary

income

  

Undistributed

long-term

gain

  

Unrealized

gains

$466,412    $1,085,200    $22,438,831

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent, and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 25.69% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $3,659,097 was designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $1,585,553 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $1,244,689 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, 2.89% of the ordinary income distributed was derived from interest on U.S. government securities.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi (Born 1975)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.” The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests all of its assets in multiple portfolios of Wells Fargo Master Trust.

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Growth Balanced Blended Index, for all periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Growth Balanced Blended Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods identified above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Fund’s investment performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates, which include the advisory fees paid at the master portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rate of the Fund was in range of the sum of the average rate for the Fund’s expense Group for the Administrator Class, and higher than the sum of the average rate for the Fund’s expense Group for Class A. The Board noted that the Management Rate for Class A has historically been in range of or lower than the sum of the average rate for the Fund’s expense Group.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney

Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  35


Table of Contents

Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1)the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in anon-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  37


Table of Contents

Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

38  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a13-month period of time.

 

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00211 07-20

A278/AR278 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

Small Company Value Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   20
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   25
Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio  
Portfolio of investments   26
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   33
Statement of operations   34
Statement of changes in net assets   35
Financial highlights   36
Notes to financial statements   37
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   42
Other information   43
Appendix I   52
Appendix II   53
Appendix III   55
Appendix IV   56

 

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Jeff Goverman

Garth R. Nisbet, CFA®

Craig Pieringer, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (SCVAX)   1-31-2002     -18.04       -1.27       6.01       -13.04     -0.09       6.64       1.58       1.15  
                   
Class C (SCVFX)   8-30-2002     -14.70       -0.84       5.84       -13.70     -0.84       5.84       2.33       1.90  
                   
Class R6 (SCVJX)4   10-31-2016                       -12.77     0.29       6.97       1.15       0.75  
                   
Administrator Class (SCVIX)   1-31-2002                       -12.98     0.03       6.83       1.50       1.05  
                   
Institutional Class (SCVNX)5   7-30-2010                       -12.82     0.23       7.04       1.25       0.85  
                   
Russell 2000® Value Index6                         -14.69       0.71       6.54              

 

*

Total return differs from the return in the Financial Highlights in this report. The total return presented is calculated based on the NAV at which the shareholder transactions were processed. The NAV and total return presented in the Financial Highlights reflects certain adjustments made to the net assets of the Fund that are necessary under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20207

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.13% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.15% for Class A, 1.90% for Class C, 0.75% for Class R6, 1.05% for Administrator Class, and 0.85% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Administrator Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

The Russell 2000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 2000® Value Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

8 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

10 

Amounts represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

*

The security was no longer held at the end of the period.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund outperformed the Russell 2000® Value Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Stock selection in consumer discretionary and industrials contributed to relative performance. Within consumer discretionary, investments in an internet-based shipping company and a household and personal care products company were the main contributors. Investments in a commercial vehicle manufacturer and a power generation company were the main contributors in industrials.

 

 

Stock selection within the financials sector and an underweighting in utilities detracted from relative results. Within financials, investments in mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs) were the main detractors, while an underweight position in the outperforming utilities sector was the primary reason for the underperformance in utilities.

During the period, investors were confronted with simultaneous global shocks.

During the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, the U.S. stock market endured a global trade war and then posted an all-time high in February 2020 as it celebrated the longest bull market in history—more than 10 years. Then, March 2020 marked historic volatility as communities, businesses, nations, and markets adjusted to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The S&P 500 Index8 of large-cap stocks sold off until it had declined by more than 35% in late March, ending the bull market. Over the 12-month period, the S&P 500 Index rose 12.84% while the Russell 2000® Value Index fell 14.69%.

As stocks climbed on Phase One trade deal optimism, we lowered portfolio market risk.

As the market approached its peak in January 2020, the portfolio management team responded to the strong market performance and full valuations by lowering the portfolio’s market risk exposure (beta). Following the March sell-off, the team increased exposure to more cyclically leveraged sectors, including consumer discretionary, materials, and banks.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20209  
   

Dick’s Sporting Goods Incorporated

     1.12  
   

Dana Incorporated

     1.11  
   

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

     1.05  
   

Western Alliance Bancorp

     1.05  
   

Piper Jaffray Companies Incorporated

     1.03  
   

STAG Industrial Incorporated

     1.01  
   

Stericycle Incorporated

     1.00  
   

BMC Stock Holdings Incorporated

     0.99  
   

Hillenbrand Incorporated

     0.99  
   

Encore Wire Corporation

     0.99  
Sector allocation as of May 31, 202010
LOGO
 

Strong stock selection and allocation effect within consumer discretionary led to the Fund’s outperformance.

The Fund outperformed its benchmark for the 12-month period. Stock selection in consumer discretionary and industrials contributed to relative performance, while financials and utilities investments detracted.

Stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector was the primary contributor to performance during the period. Shares of Stamps.com, Incorporated, a provider of internet-based shipping solutions, rallied over the period after reporting better-than-expected December quarter earnings and providing favorable guidance. Additionally, a significant overhang suppressing the stock was removed when the company announced that the United States Postal Service signed a new long-term agreement with resellers. The new agreement, which lasts up to six years, provides discounted pricing for large resellers such as Stamps.com. Stock selection in the industrials sector, notably Spartan Motors, Incorporated, contributed to performance. Spartan Motors (recently changed its name to Shyft Group, Incorporated), which focuses on vehicle manufacturing and assembly for the commercial and retail vehicle industries, performed well as it shed unprofitable businesses and invested in its final-mile delivery vehicle segment that is driven by strong e-commerce trends.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Stock selection within the financials sector detracted from performance. Due to the precipitous decline in the value of their assets, mortgage REIT stocks underperformed over the period. Shares of New York Mortgage Trust, Incorporated*, which is primarily a non-agency mortgage REIT, failed to meet margin calls after experiencing a significant decline in asset values, causing the shares to underperform the market. New York Mortgage Trust invests in residential mortgages, agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Shares of Redwood Trust, Incorporated*, another mortgage REIT, underperformed over the period as the company’s book value fell amid ongoing credit market deterioration. Sector allocation effect within the utilities sector detracted from performance. The portfolio’s relative underweighting and the sector’s relative outperformance led to the negative sector allocation effect.

Coincident with economic recovery, we believe there is a once-in-a-decade opportunity in value stocks.

In one of the biggest surprises in employment forecasting history, the U.S. economy added 2.5 million nonfarm payroll jobs in May—a sharp contrast to market expectations of an 8.3 million decline in jobs. Importantly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report was consistent with the better-than-expected May payrolls data reported by the ADP Research Institute. Moreover, anecdotal evidence of improved business activity included an increase in hotel occupancy, movie ticket sales, restaurant activity, airport travel, and mobility as measured by Google Maps.

The recent economic bounce and the coincident rotation away from consensus mega-cap technology stocks have gained increased investment strategist interest. We observed a number of Wall Street analysts and commentators suggesting that the pivot away from growth and large cap may have finally arrived. Christopher Harvey, head of equity strategy at Wells Fargo Securities, noted in a May 29, 2020, research piece:

“This growth-to-value, large-to-small market-cap rotation appears to be gaining steam … As we stated weeks ago, we believe there is a once-in-a-decade opportunity in value ...”

After three consecutive years of challenged small-cap value performance relative to growth and large-cap equity styles, it appears the tide may be turning.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 776.03      $ 4.97        1.12

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.41      $ 5.65        1.12
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 773.03      $ 8.44        1.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.48      $ 9.59        1.90
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 777.15      $ 3.34        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.24      $ 3.80        0.75
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 776.32      $ 4.68        1.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.73      $ 5.32        1.05
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 776.79      $ 3.79        0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.74      $ 4.31        0.85

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                                     Value  
Investment Companies: 100.01%              
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 100.01%                                  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

              $ 322,718,004  
             

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $354,705,907)

                322,718,004  
             

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $354,705,907)     100.01        322,718,004  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.01        (41,903
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 322,676,101  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

   

% of
ownership,

beginning
of period

   

% of
ownership,

end of
period

   

Net realized
gains

(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Net
change in
unrealized
gains (losses)
on securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Securities

lending

income

allocated

from

affiliated

Master
Portfolio

    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Value,

end
of period

    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    47     80   $ (40,308,918   $ (40,806,657   $ 5,148,569     $ 249,531     $ 17,484     $ 322,718,004       100.01

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $354,705,907)

  $ 322,718,004  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    92,789  

Receivable from manager

    33,025  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    86,007  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    322,929,825  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    135,765  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    56,874  

Administration fees payable

    50,714  

Custody and accounting fees payable

    3,705  

Distribution fee payable

    2,712  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,117  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    2,837  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    253,724  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

    $322,676,101  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 403,554,208  

Total distributable loss

    (80,878,107
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 322,676,101  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 262,574,015  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    12,556,537  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $20.91  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $22.19  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 4,430,707  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    240,385  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $18.43  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 6,490,646  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    301,003  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $21.56  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 15,580,742  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    728,084  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $21.40  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 33,599,991  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    1,565,733  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $21.46  

 

 

1 

Each Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $5,021)

  $ 5,148,569  

Securities lending income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    249,531  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    17,484  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (2,372,055

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    236,726  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    3,280,255  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    144,537  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    464,633  

Class C

    10,149  

Class R6

    1,807  

Administrator Class

    22,372  

Institutional Class

    51,682  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    551,801  

Class C

    12,071  

Administrator Class

    43,002  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    36,202  

Custody and accounting fees

    6,108  

Professional fees

    32,906  

Registration fees

    130,592  

Shareholder report expenses

    47,171  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    13,424  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,590,049  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (367,481

Class A

    (150,051

Class C

    (1,757

Administrator Class

    (21,870

Institutional Class

    (28,805
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,020,085  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,260,170  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    4,208,424  

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (40,308,918
 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (36,100,494

Net change in unrealized losses on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (40,806,657
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (76,907,151
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (74,646,981
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 2,260,170       $ 528,160  

Net realized losses on investments

      (36,100,494       (4,999,289

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (40,806,657       (10,331,943
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

      (74,646,981       (14,803,072
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (1,775,108       (82,268

Class C

      (20,482       0  

Class R6

      (57,654       (4,758

Administrator Class

      (132,559       (80,883

Institutional Class

      (389,037       (367,043
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (2,374,840       (534,952
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    660,800       16,227,538       100,769       2,699,778  

Class C

    9,961       227,898       15,848       366,047  

Class R6

    64,570       1,642,037       25,104       690,295  

Administrator Class

    106,132       2,470,380       156,576       4,440,193  

Institutional Class

    309,975       7,352,769       927,734       26,194,616  
 

 

 

 
      27,920,622         34,390,929  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    61,791       1,738,175       3,218       75,882  

Class C

    745       18,543       0       0  

Class R6

    1,984       57,454       183       4,430  

Administrator Class

    4,358       125,424       3,347       80,761  

Institutional Class

    13,253       382,205       15,183       366,819  
 

 

 

 
      2,321,801         527,892  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,647,283     (40,312,932     (160,314     (4,366,685

Class C

    (150,237     (3,268,340     (42,700     (986,195

Class R6

    (949,988     (24,922,236     (6,898     (189,905

Administrator Class

    (185,643     (4,423,218     (1,664,950     (46,927,131

Institutional Class

    (876,293     (21,210,870     (1,684,689     (45,679,163
 

 

 

 
      (94,137,596       (98,149,079
 

 

 

 

Net asset value of shares issue in acquisition

       

Class A

    12,989,900       337,017,442       0       0  

Class C

    328,733       7,545,278       0       0  

Class R6

    1,155,117       30,863,882       0       0  

Administrator Class

    242,559       6,444,855       0       0  

Institutional Class

    786,790       20,969,975       0       0  
 

 

 

 
      402,841,432         0  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      338,946,259         (63,230,258
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      261,924,438         (78,568,282
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      60,751,663         139,319,945  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 322,676,101       $ 60,751,663  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $24.22       $28.60       $24.01       $20.22       $21.42  

Net investment income

    0.18 1       0.09       0.09       0.05       0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (3.35     (4.31     4.58       3.75       (1.25
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (3.17     (4.22     4.67       3.80       (1.17

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.14     (0.16     (0.08     (0.01     (0.03

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.91       $24.22       $28.60       $24.01       $20.22  

Total return2

    (13.25 )%      (14.72 )%      19.48     18.86     (5.48 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.32     1.49     1.47     1.47     1.48

Net expenses3

    1.13     1.15     1.33     1.35     1.37

Net investment income3

    0.74     0.38     0.46     0.20     0.11

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $262,574       $11,902       $15,665       $16,280       $23,151  

 

 

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

4

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.48       $25.38       $21.40       $18.15       $19.34  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.01 1      (0.08 )1      (0.07 )1      (0.11 )1      (0.11 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (3.00     (3.82     4.05       3.36       (1.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (2.99     (3.90     3.98       3.25       (1.19

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.06     0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  

Net asset value, end of period

    $18.43       $21.48       $25.38       $21.40       $18.15  

Total return2

    (13.98 )%      (15.37 )%      18.60     17.97     (6.20 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    2.08     2.22     2.21     2.22     2.23

Net expenses3

    1.90     1.90     2.08     2.10     2.12

Net investment income (loss)3

    0.02     (0.35 )%      (0.29 )%      (0.54 )%      (0.62 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $4,431       $1,099       $1,980       $1,962       $2,004  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $24.92       $29.44       $24.69       $21.37  

Net investment income

    0.31       0.21 2      0.29 2      0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (3.50     (4.45     4.65       3.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (3.19     (4.24     4.94       3.41  

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

    (0.17     (0.28     (0.19     (0.09

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.56       $24.92       $29.44       $24.69  

Total return3

    (12.97 )%      (14.38 )%      20.03     15.95

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

       

Gross expenses4

    0.90     1.09     1.03     1.02

Net expenses4

    0.75     0.75     0.88     0.90

Net investment income4

    1.22     0.77     1.04     0.58

Supplemental data

       

Portfolio turnover rate5

    78     168     144     110

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $6,491       $731       $322       $29  

 

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017.

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.83

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $24.80       $29.23       $24.53       $20.66       $21.90  

Net investment income

    0.21 1      0.14 1      0.20       0.08 1      0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (3.43     (4.43     4.63       3.83       (1.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (3.22     (4.29     4.83       3.91       (1.17

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.18     (0.14     (0.13     (0.04     (0.07

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.40       $24.80       $29.23       $24.53       $20.66  

Total return

    (13.18 )%      (14.65 )%      19.71     19.00     (5.36 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.32     1.35     1.38     1.39     1.39

Net expenses2

    1.05     1.05     1.19     1.20     1.20

Net investment income2

    0.82     0.49     0.59     0.36     0.28

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $15,581       $13,905       $60,379       $57,591       $64,023  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $24.86       $29.40       $24.68       $20.77       $22.02  

Net investment income

    0.25       0.19 1      0.21       0.11       0.08 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (3.43     (4.45     4.69       3.89       (1.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (3.18     (4.26     4.90       4.00       (1.14

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.22     (0.28     (0.18     (0.09     (0.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.46       $24.86       $29.40       $24.68       $20.77  

Total return

    (13.03 )%      (14.46 )%      19.90     13.70     (5.13 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.07     1.14     1.14     1.14     1.14

Net expenses2

    0.85     0.85     0.99     1.00     1.00

Net investment income2

    1.04     0.68     0.78     0.55     0.40

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $33,600       $33,116       $60,973       $52,072       $31,768  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  19


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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 80% of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $368,843,380 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 0  

Gross unrealized losses

     (46,125,376

Net unrealized losses

   $ (46,125,376

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards which consist of $31,483,064 in short-term capital losses and $3,107,998 in long-term capital losses. Losses may be subject to certain limitations under Sections 382-384 of the Internal Revenue Code.

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss of $161,669 which will be recognized on the first day of the following fiscal year.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio      Investment objective     

Value of

affiliated Master
Portfolio

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

     Seeks long-term capital appreciation      $322,718,004

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee

First $5 billion

   0.05%

Next $5 billion

   0.04

Over $10 billion

   0.03

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  21


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Notes to financial statements

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.15% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares, 0.75% for Class R6 shares, 1.05% for Administrator Class shares and 0.85% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $2,382 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $229,195,450 and $258,324,411, respectively.

6. ACQUISITION

After the close of business on September 20, 2019, the Fund acquired the net assets of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two funds with similar investment objectives and strategies. Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund transferred all of its portfolio securities to Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio (a master portfolio in which it invested all of its assets) in exchange for interests in Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio. Immediately thereafter, Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund transferred all of its equity interests in Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio to Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund in exchange for shares of the Fund. Shareholders holding Class A, Class C, Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund received Class A, Class C, Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares, respectively, of the Fund in the reorganization. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of all of the shares of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund for 15,503,099 shares of the Fund

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

valued at $402,841,432 at an exchange ratio of 0.45, 0.28, 0.49, 0.49, and 0.49 for Class A, Class C, Class R6, Administrator Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The investment portfolio of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund with a fair value of $399,448,746, identified cost of $378,004,130 and unrealized gains of $21,444,616 at September 20, 2019 were the principal assets acquired by the Fund. The aggregate net assets of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund and the Fund immediately prior to the acquisition were $402,841,432 and $58,675,150, respectively. The aggregate net assets of the Fund immediately after the acquisition were $461,516,582. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund was carried forward to align with ongoing reporting of the Fund’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.

Assuming the acquisition had been completed June 1 , 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period for the Fund, the pro forma results of operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 would have been as follows (unaudited):

 

Net investment loss

   $ (2,124,250

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   $ (33,131,724

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

   $ (35,255,974

Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund that have been included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations since September 23, 2019.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid was $2,374,840 and $534,952 of ordinary income for the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively.

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Unrealized
losses
  

Late-year

ordinary losses

deferred

  

Capital loss
carryforward

$(46,125,376)    $(161,669)    $(34,591,062)

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  23


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Notes to financial statements

 

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 98.50%           

Consumer Discretionary: 14.11%

          
Auto Components: 1.11%                           

Dana Incorporated

          351,741      $ 4,446,006  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.80%                           

Collectors Universe Incorporated

          70,654        1,571,345  

WW International Incorporated †

          68,464        1,636,290  
             3,207,635  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 3.08%                           

Denny’s Corporation †

          181,358        1,966,828  

Dine Brands Global Incorporated

          55,275        2,508,932  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited †

          88,103        1,379,693  

The Wendy’s Company

          130,720        2,779,107  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

          81,203        3,729,654  
             12,364,214  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 2.88%                           

GoPro Incorporated Class A †

          363,258        1,710,945  

Helen of Troy Limited †

          17,894        3,255,276  

Hooker Furniture Corporation

          199,392        3,250,090  

iRobot Corporation †

          45,381        3,345,487  
             11,561,798  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 0.38%                           

Stamps.com Incorporated †

          7,714        1,528,529  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 1.14%                           

Johnson Outdoors Incorporated Class A

          29,226        2,268,230  

Malibu Boats Incorporated Class A †

          48,833        2,301,499  
             4,569,729  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 2.56%                           

American Eagle Outfitters Incorporated

          245,581        2,249,522  

Dick’s Sporting Goods Incorporated

          124,636        4,494,374  

Shoe Carnival Incorporated

          136,393        3,544,854  
             10,288,750  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 2.16%                           

Carter’s Incorporated

          42,951        3,689,920  

Lakeland Industries Incorporated †

          28,500        413,250  

Levi Strauss & Company Class A

          138,484        1,868,149  

Rocky Brands Incorporated

          131,618        2,729,757  
             8,701,076  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 4.14%

          
Food & Staples Retailing: 0.83%                           

Ingles Markets Incorporated Class A

          78,411        3,341,093  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 1.62%                           

Hostess Brands Incorporated †

          212,293        2,563,438  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation †

          85,943        1,776,442  

TreeHouse Foods Incorporated †

          40,766        2,148,776  
             6,488,656  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Household Products: 0.85%                           

Central Garden & Pet Company †

          93,199      $ 3,419,471  
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.84%                           

Edgewell Personal Care Company †

          111,603        3,394,963  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 2.85%

          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.85%                           

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

          99,358        4,230,664  

Parsley Energy Incorporated Class A

          387,350        3,540,379  

Teekay Tankers Ltd Class A †

          11,743        204,093  

W&T Offshore Incorporated †

          1,333,387        3,480,140  
             11,455,276  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 22.22%

          
Banks: 13.12%                           

Ameris Bancorp

          146,310        3,545,091  

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation

          96,325        2,229,924  

Banc of California Incorporated

          185,300        2,029,035  

Banner Corporation

          89,610        3,365,752  

Customers Bancorp Incorporated †

          212,457        2,356,148  

FB Financial Corporation

          142,837        3,372,382  

First Foundation Incorporated

          251,468        3,746,873  

First Interstate BancSystem Class A

          124,860        3,901,875  

Great Southern Bancorp Incorporated

          86,680        3,515,741  

Heritage Financial Corporation

          187,776        3,567,744  

Independent Bank Corporation

          185,025        2,557,046  

Midland States Bancorp Incorporated

          165,986        2,484,810  

OceanFirst Financial Corporation

          203,341        3,395,795  

OFG Bancorp

          242,855        2,950,688  

Orrstown Financial Services Incorporated

          73,829        995,215  

Pacific Premier Bancorp Incorporated

          113,773        2,459,772  

Umpqua Holdings Corporation

          202,921        2,311,270  

Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania

          188,657        3,101,521  

Western Alliance Bancorp

          110,551        4,217,521  
             56,104,203  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 1.39%                           

Piper Jaffray Companies Incorporated

          69,576        4,149,513  

Sculptor Capital Management Incorporated

          114,289        1,433,184  
             5,582,697  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 2.22%                           

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

          147,164        3,191,987  

FBL Financial Group Incorporated

          60,505        2,160,634  

National General Holdings Corporation

          103,973        2,110,652  

State Auto Financial Corporation

          72,217        1,440,007  
             8,903,280  
          

 

 

 
Mortgage REITs: 2.41%                           

AGNC Investment Corporation

          292,193        3,780,977  

Annaly Capital Management Incorporated

          566,162        3,487,558  

Capstead Mortgage Corporation

          476,789        2,412,552  
             9,681,087  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 3.08%                           

Axos Financial Incorporated †

          109,403      $ 2,384,985  

Homestreet Incorporated

          147,390        3,510,830  

Walker & Dunlop Incorporated

          76,365        3,092,783  
             8,988,598  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 5.67%

          
Biotechnology: 0.26%                           

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          10,291        1,045,257  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.05%                           

AngioDynamics Incorporated †

          77,452        790,785  

ICU Medical Incorporated †

          5,300        1,057,986  

Merit Medical Systems Incorporated †

          52,723        2,372,008  
             4,220,779  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.92%                           

American Renal Associates Holdings †

          202,788        1,255,258  

AMN Healthcare Services Incorporated †

          39,826        1,766,681  

Hanger Incorporated †

          97,757        1,794,819  

LHC Group Incorporated †

          7,965        1,294,392  

Option Care Health Incorporated †

          225,647        3,429,834  

The Ensign Group Incorporated

          49,976        2,184,951  
             11,725,935  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 1.44%                           

Lannett Company Incorporated †

          335,550        2,566,958  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare Incorporated †

          76,531        3,229,608  
             5,796,566  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 20.06%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 0.73%                           

Ducommun Incorporated †

          90,997        2,930,103  
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.27%                           

Radiant Logistics Incorporated †

          273,139        1,089,825  
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.91%                           

Alaska Air Group Incorporated

          107,252        3,666,946  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 1.37%                           

American Woodmark Corporation †

          11,679        732,974  

CSW Industrials Incorporated

          22,577        1,615,610  

Patrick Industries Incorporated

          61,147        3,171,695  
             5,520,279  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 3.50%                           

ABM Industries Incorporated

          94,403        2,901,004  

Ennis Incorporated

          190,798        3,396,204  

Healthcare Services Group Incorporated

          125,269        2,996,434  

Herman Miller Incorporated

          32,859        756,414  

Stericycle Incorporated †

          72,925        3,998,478  
             14,048,534  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Construction & Engineering: 0.41%                           

Comfort Systems Incorporated

          45,035      $ 1,666,295  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 1.94%                           

Atkore International Incorporated †

          22,780        611,415  

Encore Wire Corporation

          82,063        3,962,822  

Generac Holdings Incorporated †

          21,749        2,420,011  

Regal-Beloit Corporation

          10,065        800,570  
             7,794,818  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 6.02%                           

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

          112,203        3,412,093  

Federal Signal Corporation

          91,082        2,654,129  

Hillenbrand Incorporated

          154,333        3,972,531  

Kadant Incorporated

          38,974        3,773,852  

Miller Industries Incorporated

          119,631        3,544,667  

Mueller Water Products Incorporated Class A

          370,360        3,459,162  

Rexnord Corporation

          25,612        770,921  

The Shyft Group Incorporated

          150,866        2,576,791  
             24,164,146  
          

 

 

 
Marine: 0.63%                           

Atlas Corporation

          167,867        1,190,177  

Costamare Incorporated

          292,144        1,343,862  
             2,534,039  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 2.29%                           

CBIZ Incorporated †

          120,094        2,720,129  

Kelly Services Incorporated Class A

          194,829        2,920,487  

Korn Ferry International

          116,895        3,537,243  
             9,177,859  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 0.47%                           

Arcbest Corporation

          84,133        1,883,738  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.52%                           

BMC Stock Holdings Incorporated †

          151,811        3,972,894  

CAI International Incorporated †

          113,259        2,130,402  
             6,103,296  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 11.15%

          
Communications Equipment: 0.48%                           

NETGEAR Incorporated †

          74,535        1,917,786  
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 3.39%                           

ePlus Incorporated †

          35,062        2,584,420  

Insight Enterprises Incorporated †

          75,753        3,883,099  

Methode Electronics Incorporated

          104,762        3,284,289  

PC Connection Incorporated

          87,980        3,807,774  

Vishay Precision Group †

          1,572        37,131  
             13,596,713  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 1.82%                           

Conduent Incorporated †

          606,514        1,449,568  

Hackett Group Incorporated

          134,403        1,853,417  

TTEC Holdings Incorporated

          53,861        2,281,552  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
IT Services (continued)                           

Unisys Corporation †

          151,425      $ 1,720,188  
             7,304,725  
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 3.33%                           

Cirrus Logic Incorporated †

          36,320        2,632,474  

Diodes Incorporated †

          67,754        3,295,555  

FormFactor Incorporated †

          80,235        2,019,515  

Ichor Holdings Limited †

          95,390        2,170,123  

Onto Innovation Incorporated †

          105,224        3,270,362  
             13,388,029  
          

 

 

 
Software: 1.62%                           

American Software Incorporated Class A

          163,055        3,171,420  

Nuance Communications Incorporated

          146,201        3,345,079  
             6,516,499  
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 0.51%                           

NCR Corporation †

          113,828        2,054,595  
          

 

 

 

Materials: 6.23%

          
Chemicals: 1.60%                           

Hawkins Incorporated

          36,680        1,573,572  

Ingevity Corporation †

          11,840        623,613  

Minerals Technologies Incorporated

          12,040        593,692  

Stepan Company

          37,529        3,646,318  
             6,437,195  
          

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 0.94%                           

Eagle Materials Incorporated

          56,390        3,764,596  
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 1.35%                           

Silgan Holdings Incorporated

          92,688        3,099,487  

UFP Technologies Incorporated †

          50,956        2,303,721  
             5,403,208  
          

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 1.81%                           

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation

          48,956        3,512,593  

Schnitzer Steel Industries Incorporated Class A

          239,841        3,765,504  
             7,278,097  
          

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.53%                           

Neenah Incorporated

          11,687        590,895  

PH Glatfelter Company

          68,882        1,061,472  

Schweitzer-Mauduit International Incorporated

          15,976        485,511  
             2,137,878  
          

 

 

 

Real Estate: 6.11%

          
Equity REITs: 6.11%                           

Agree Realty Corporation

          59,952        3,763,187  

American Campus Communities Incorporated

          77,963        2,518,205  

Armada Hoffler Properties Incorporated

          216,862        1,869,350  

Global Medical REIT Incorporated

          122,538        1,313,607  

Independence Realty Trust Incorporated

          380,474        3,762,888  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                    Shares      Value  
Equity REITs (continued)                          

One Liberty Properties Incorporated

         147,496      $ 2,337,812  

Outfront Media Incorporated

         78,440        1,101,298  

PotlatchDeltic Corporation

         111,764        3,798,858  

STAG Industrial Incorporated

         150,889        4,058,914  
            24,524,119  
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 5.96%

         
Electric Utilities: 3.10%                          

Hawaiian Electric Industries Incorporated

         88,685        3,499,510  

IDACORP Incorporated

         39,307        3,664,592  

Otter Tail Corporation

         62,240        2,670,718  

Portland General Electric Company

         55,985        2,637,453  
            12,472,273  
         

 

 

 
Gas Utilities: 1.72%                          

National Fuel Gas Company

         79,287        3,327,675  

Northwest Natural Holding Company

         55,870        3,581,826  
            6,909,501  
         

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities: 0.72%                          

MDU Resources Group Incorporated

         132,941        2,892,796  
         

 

 

 
Water Utilities: 0.42%                          

Artesian Resources Corporation Class A

         47,741        1,676,187  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $418,249,578)

            395,669,673  
         

 

 

 

Exchange-Traded Funds: 0.51%

         

iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF

         14,700        2,041,830  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $1,963,357)

            2,041,830  
         

 

 

 
         
          Expiration date                
Warrants: 0.00%                          

Energy: 0.00%

         
Energy Equipment & Services: 0.00%                          

Parker Drilling Company †(a)

      9-16-2024        8,457        0  
         

 

 

 

Total Warrants (Cost $0)

            0  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 0.58%                          
Investment Companies: 0.58%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (I)(u)

    0.12        2,323,207        2,323,207  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,323,207)

            2,323,207  
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $422,536,142)     99.59        400,034,710  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.41          1,634,680  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 401,669,390  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(a)

The security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

(I)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Shares,

beginning of

period

   

Shares

purchased

   

Shares

sold

   

Shares,

end of

period

   

Net

realized

gains

(losses)

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses)

   

Income

from

affiliated

securities

   

Value,

end of

period

   

% of

net

assets

 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC*

    2,006,789       103,859,848       (105,866,637     0     $ 1,381     $ (180   $ 159,667 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    718,186       72,903,023       (71,298,002     2,323,207       0       0       22,614       2,323,207    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 1,381     $ (180   $ 182,281     $ 2,323,207       0.58
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $420,212,935)

  $ 397,711,503  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $2,323,207)

    2,323,207  

Receivable for investments sold

    3,959,661  

Receivable for dividends

    295,562  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    91,689  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    404,381,622  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    2,476,495  

Advisory fee payable

    231,929  

Trustees’ fee payable

    781  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    3,027  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,712,232  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 401,669,390  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $6,457)

  $ 6,615,938  

Income from affiliated securities

    327,211  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    6,943,149  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    2,936,945  

Custody and accounting fees

    23,092  

Professional fees

    41,403  

Shareholder report expenses

    2,774  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    20,633  

Other fees and expenses

    5,391  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,030,238  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (310,536
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,719,702  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    4,223,447  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (50,608,697

Affiliated securities

    1,381  
 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (50,607,316
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (40,450,817

Affiliated securities

    (180
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (40,450,997
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (91,058,313
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (86,834,866
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

       
     Year ended
May 31, 2020
       Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 4,223,447        $ 1,405,371  

Net realized losses on investments

    (50,607,316        (20,261,333

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (40,450,997        (10,952,752
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (86,834,866        (29,808,714
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    464,639,096          110,246,678  

Withdrawals

    (103,765,259        (112,205,990
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    360,873,837          (1,959,312
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    274,038,971          (31,768,026
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    127,630,419          159,398,445  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 401,669,390        $ 127,630,419  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018      2017      2016  

Total return

    (13.74 )%      (14.51 )%      20.10      19.44      (4.96 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.82     0.86     0.85      0.84      0.85

Net expenses

    0.74     0.75     0.84      0.84      0.85

Net investment income

    1.15     0.80     0.87      0.72      0.62

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    78     168     144      110      72

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statements of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All interest, dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether such interest, dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $434,791,870 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 33,306,133  

Gross unrealized losses

     (68,063,293)  

Net unrealized losses

   $ (34,757,160)  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 56,667,737      $ 0      $ 0      $ 56,667,737  

Consumer staples

     16,644,183        0        0        16,644,183  

Energy

     11,455,276        0        0        11,455,276  

Financials

     89,259,865        0        0        89,259,865  

Health care

     22,788,537        0        0        22,788,537  

Industrials

     80,579,878        0        0        80,579,878  

Information technology

     44,778,347        0        0        44,778,347  

Materials

     25,020,974        0        0        25,020,974  

Real estate

     24,524,119        0        0        24,524,119  

Utilities

     23,950,757        0        0        23,950,757  

Exchange-traded funds

     2,041,830        0        0        2,041,830  

Warrants

           

Energy

     0        0        0        0  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,323,207        0        0        2,323,207  

Total assets

   $ 400,034,710      $ 0      $ 0      $ 400,034,710  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail for the Portfolio is included in the Portfolio of investments.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management , an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee

First $500 million

   0.800%

Next $500 million

   0.775

Next $1 billion

   0.750

Next $1 billion

   0.725

Next $1 billion

   0.700

Over $4 billion

   0.680

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.80% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.55% and declining to 0.40% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Funds Management has voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed advisory fees to reduce the net operating expense ratio of the Portfolio.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $285,266,999 and $321,522,219, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 100% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $2,374,840 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee,
since 2015
  Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee,
since 2015;
Chair Liaison,
since 2018
  Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee,
since 2009;
Audit Committee Chairman,
since 2019
  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee,
since 2008;
Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018
  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee,
since 2009
  James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee,
since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair,
since 2018
  International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee,
since 1996; Chairman,
since 2018
  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee,
since 2018
  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee,
since January 2020;
previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019
  Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President,
since 2017
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1 (Born 1967)   Treasurer,
since 2012
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer,
since 2019
  Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary,
since 2019
  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer,
since 2016
  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi (Born 1975)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer,
since 2012
  Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1 

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund and Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management, for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the

 

 

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background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than or in range of the average investment performance of its Universe for the five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was in range of the average investment performance of its Universe for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020, and lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than or in range of its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, for all periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than or in range of its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Gateway Fund relative to the Universe for the periods identified above. The Funds Trust Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Gateway Fund’s investment performance.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were lower than the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for each share class.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

 

 

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Investment management, advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were lower than or in range of the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was lower than the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Master Trust Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Boards noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Master Portfolio and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

 

 

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Economies of scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an

“HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney

Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1)the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in anon-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  55


Table of Contents

Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a13-month period of time.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00323 07-20

A286/AR286 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   20
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   24
Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  
Portfolio of investments   25
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   36
Statement of operations   37
Statement of changes in net assets   38
Financial highlights   39
Notes to financial statements   40
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   46
Other information   47
Appendix I   56
Appendix II   57
Appendix III   59
Appendix IV   60

 

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Real Return Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  3


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index , a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA®, FRM

Michael Bradshaw, CFA®

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Jay N. Mueller, CFA®

Garth B. Newport, CFA®

Michael Schueller, CFA®*

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (IPBAX)   2-28-2003     0.74       1.55       2.49       5.48       2.49       2.96       1.17       0.78  
                   
Class C (IPBCX)   2-28-2003     3.67       1.73       2.23       4.67 **      1.73       2.23       1.92       1.53  
                   
Class R6 (IPBJX)4   10-31-2016                       5.94       2.85       3.30       0.79       0.40  
                   
Administrator Class (IPBIX)   2-28-2003                       5.67       2.71       3.23       1.11       0.60  
                   
Institutional Class (IPBNX)5   10-31-2016                       5.78 **      2.81       3.28       0.84       0.45  
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index6                         8.00       3.32       3.55              
                   
CPI7                         0.12       1.52       1.63              

 

**   Total return differs from the return in the Financial Highlights in this report. The total return presented is calculated based on the NAV at which the shareholder transactions were processed. The NAV and total return presented in the Financial Highlights reflects certain adjustments made to the net assets of the Fund that are necessary under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 4.50%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. High-yield securities have a greater risk of default and tend to be more volatile than higher-rated debt securities. Loans are subject to risks similar to those associated with other below investment-grade bond investments, such as credit risk (for example, risk of issuer default), below-investment-grade bond risk (for example, risk of greater volatility in value), and risk that the loan may become illiquid or difficult to price. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Foreign investments are especially volatile and can rise or fall dramatically due to differences in the political and economic conditions of the host country. These risks are generally intensified in emerging markets. Securities issued by U.S. government agencies or government-sponsored entities may not be guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The Fund is exposed to mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk and small-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20208

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

*

Mr. Schueller became a portfolio manager of the Fund on January 15, 2020.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.78% for Class A, 1.53% for Class C, 0.40% for Class R6, 0.60% for Administrator Class, and 0.45% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and is not adjusted to reflect the Class R6 expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and is not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Index is an index of inflation-indexed-linked U.S. Treasury securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers in U.S. All Items is published monthly by the U.S. government as an indicator of changes in price levels (or inflation) paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index and CPI. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 4.50%.

 

9The

S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

10 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

12 

Amounts represent the portfolio composition of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION    

Fund highlights    

 

The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Index, for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

As investments in high-quality fixed-income investments outperformed most equity and high-yield bond investments in the portfolio over the period, the Fund’s holdings in more market-sensitive investments detracted from performance.

 

 

Gold and gold-mining stocks performed very well over the 12-month period. Our exposure to precious metals mining stocks added to relative performance.

Market returns were positive despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 Index9, post a +12.84% return and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index10, post a +9.42% return. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most any historical 12-month period. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index reached a high of 3,386. Soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed over one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 202011       
   

TIPS, 0.38%, 7-15-2025

     11.21  
   

TIPS, 0.63%, 1-15-2026

     9.98  
   

TIPS, 0.13%, 1-15-2023

     9.50  
   

TIPS, 0.38%, 7-15-2023

     8.31  
   

TIPS, 0.25%, 1-15-2025

     8.17  
   

TIPS, 2.38%, 1-15-2025

     7.96  
   

TIPS, 0.63%, 4-15-2023

     7.36  
   

TIPS, 0.13%, 7-15-2026

     6.66  
   

TIPS, 0.63%, 1-15-2024

     6.49  
   

TIPS, 0.50%, 1-15-2028

     6.30  

The Fund uses a multi-asset-class strategy to target inflation protection.

During the 12-month period, we maintained allocations to Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) as well as other inflation-sensitive sectors, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs), short-term high-yield bonds, and inflation-sensitive equities. We used this multi-asset-class strategy to target greater inflation protection and real returns than a traditional inflation-hedged strategy might while seeking to achieve similar levels of volatility.

The return on our investments in TIPS matched the benchmark return of 8% over the period. While our investments in short-term high-yield bonds and in REITs

 

produced positive results, they underperformed the return on TIPS, thus detracting from performance. The energy stocks in our STEM (consumer staples, energy, and materials) portfolio dominated performance and this portfolio produced a negative return. Buoyed by strong advances in gold, our precious metals mining stocks produced a remarkable return in excess of 60%. Unfortunately, this sleeve only represents about 2% of the portfolio. So, it was not large enough to make up for the relative underperformance of the other sleeves.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Portfolio composition as of May 31, 202012
LOGO

With respect to changes in the underlying portfolio, in June 2019, we sold all our foreign STEM stocks.

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely that we will hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a

 

significant second wave of the coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here will be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Investors went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.33      $ 3.92        0.78

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.13      $ 3.92        0.78
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.05      $ 7.71        1.53

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.36      $ 7.71        1.53
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.10      $ 2.02        0.40

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.00      $ 2.02        0.40
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.36      $ 3.03        0.60

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.00      $ 3.03        0.60
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.83      $ 2.28        0.45

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.75      $ 2.28        0.45

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 99.85%

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio: 99.85%  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

           $ 57,182,776  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $53,089,799)

 

           57,182,776        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $53,089,799)     99.85        57,182,776  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.15          83,216  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 57,265,992  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:    

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Net

change in
unrealized

gains

(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 
Affiliated Master Portfolio                                                      

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    32     35   $ (1,121,387   $ 3,059,682     $ 1,288,760     $ 202,018     $ 9,637     $ 57,182,776       99.85

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $53,089,799)

  $ 57,182,776  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    61,207  

Receivable from manager

    36,379  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    56,947  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    57,337,309  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    55,278  

Administration fees payable

    4,337  

Distribution fee payable

    1,100  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    5,783  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    794  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    4,025  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    71,317  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 57,265,992  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 55,216,751  

Total distributable earnings

    2,049,241  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 57,265,992  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 13,196,266  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    1,291,090  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $10.22  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $10.70  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 1,714,319  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    170,472  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $10.06  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 18,224,227  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    1,764,904  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $10.33  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 13,543,763  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,304,867  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $10.38  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 10,587,417  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    1,024,920  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $10.33  

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/95.50 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

  $ 1,288,760  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $4,191)

    202,018  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    9,637  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (268,526

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    38,038  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,269,927  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    29,658  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    25,476  

Class C

    3,256  

Class R6

    5,101  

Administrator Class

    12,799  

Institutional Class

    9,244  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    39,768  

Class C

    5,083  

Administrator Class

    31,942  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    15,247  

Custody and accounting fees

    4,019  

Professional fees

    35,898  

Registration fees

    199,450  

Shareholder report expenses

    69,138  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    15,357  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    523,028  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (386,544

Class A

    (388

Class C

    (1

Administrator Class

    (15,361
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    120,734  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,149,193  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized losses on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (1,121,387

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    3,059,682  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1,938,295  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 3,087,488  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 1,149,193       $ 1,389,934  

Net realized losses on investments

      (1,121,387       (830,409

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      3,059,682         806,875  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      3,087,488         1,366,400  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (333,051       (509,589

Class C

      (28,644       (59,497

Class R6

      (410,590       (321,376

Administrator Class

      (268,283       (396,758

Institutional Class

      (274,619       (349,231
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (1,315,187       (1,636,451
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    341,385       3,446,122       536,260       5,211,071  

Class C

    58,887       586,232       115,162       1,107,921  

Class R6

    700,870       7,155,041       315,330       3,110,483  

Administrator Class

    754,263       7,722,657       418,320       4,128,845  

Institutional Class

    587,649       6,004,061       733,768       7,248,113  
 

 

 

 
      24,914,113         20,806,433  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    23,714       238,785       36,976       359,276  

Class C

    2,484       24,671       5,600       53,596  

Class R6

    22,788       231,443       13,831       135,701  

Administrator Class

    25,943       265,162       40,010       394,108  

Institutional Class

    26,962       274,014       35,503       348,182  
 

 

 

 
      1,034,075         1,290,863  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (865,507     (8,666,594     (1,429,739     (13,815,687

Class C

    (153,174     (1,519,143     (219,827     (2,105,292

Class R6

    (395,994     (4,031,485     (71,175     (700,914

Administrator Class

    (827,804     (8,434,604     (1,441,193     (14,228,082

Institutional Class

    (699,776     (7,084,487     (874,093     (8,536,165
 

 

 

 
      (29,736,313       (39,386,140
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (3,788,125       (17,288,844
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (2,015,824       (17,558,895
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      59,281,816         76,840,711  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 57,265,992       $ 59,281,816  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.89       $9.87       $9.96       $9.95       $10.07  

Net investment income

    0.12       0.15       0.21       0.19 1      0.10 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.42       0.09       (0.09     0.03       (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.54       0.24       0.12       0.22       0.09  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.21     (0.19     (0.21     (0.20     (0.07

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.21     (0.22     (0.21     (0.21     (0.21

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.22       $9.89       $9.87       $9.96       $9.95  

Total return2

    5.48     2.56     1.25     2.23     1.01

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.43     1.16     1.04     1.11     1.20

Net expenses3

    0.78     0.77     0.80     0.85     0.85

Net investment income3

    1.79     1.95     2.15     1.92     0.98

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    24     39     29     25     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $13,196       $17,716       $26,133       $29,678       $18,938  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.44

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.73       $9.73       $9.82       $9.77       $9.92  

Net investment income

    0.11 1      0.10 1      0.03       0.04       0.03 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.35       0.07       0.02       0.10       (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.46       0.17       0.05       0.14       0.01  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.13     (0.14     (0.14     (0.08     (0.02

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.13     (0.17     (0.14     (0.09     (0.16

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.06       $9.73       $9.73       $9.82       $9.77  

Total return2

    4.77     1.79     0.53     1.44     0.21

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    2.18     1.91     1.79     1.86     1.95

Net expenses3

    1.53     1.52     1.56     1.60     1.60

Net investment income3

    1.09     1.08     1.39     1.23     0.30

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    24     39     29     25     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,714       $2,553       $3,517       $4,580       $5,654  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.44

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.99       $9.96       $10.05       $10.17  

Net investment income

    0.22       0.23 2      0.22       0.10  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.37       0.06       (0.06     (0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.59       0.29       0.16       0.03  

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

    (0.25     (0.23     (0.25     (0.14

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.25     (0.26     (0.25     (0.15

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.33       $9.99       $9.96       $10.05  

Total return3

    5.94     2.99     1.63     0.36

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

       

Gross expenses4

    1.05     0.82     0.66     0.69

Net expenses4

    0.40     0.39     0.42     0.47

Net investment income4

    2.08     2.34     2.52     1.32

Supplemental data

       

Portfolio turnover rate5

    24     39     29     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $18,224       $14,358       $11,750       $7,438  

 

 

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2017

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.44

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  17


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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.03       $9.99       $10.06       $10.03       $10.15  

Net investment income

    0.20 1      0.21 1      0.24 1      0.22 1      0.13 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.36       0.06       (0.09     0.02       (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.56       0.27       0.15       0.24       0.11  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.21     (0.20     (0.22     (0.20     (0.09

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.21     (0.23     (0.22     (0.21     (0.23

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.38       $10.03       $9.99       $10.06       $10.03  

Total return

    5.67     2.78     1.50     2.46     1.21

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.37     1.10     0.97     1.04     1.13

Net expenses2

    0.60     0.59     0.60     0.60     0.60

Net investment income2

    1.92     2.15     2.39     2.20     1.30

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    24     39     29     25     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $13,544       $13,562       $23,331       $26,100       $20,607  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.44

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.99       $9.97       $10.06       $10.17  

Net investment income

    0.21       0.22       0.24       0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.37       0.05       (0.08     (0.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.58       0.27       0.16       0.04  

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

    (0.24     (0.22     (0.25     (0.14

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.24     (0.25     (0.25     (0.15

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.33       $9.99       $9.97       $10.06  

Total return2

    5.88     2.84     1.57     0.41

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

       

Gross expenses3

    1.10     0.84     0.71     0.76

Net expenses3

    0.45     0.44     0.47     0.52

Net investment income3

    2.09     2.20     2.62     2.24

Supplemental data

       

Portfolio turnover rate4

    24     39     29     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $10,587       $11,094       $12,110       $5,229  

 

 

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.44

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  19


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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Real Return Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 35% of Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid from net investment income monthly and any net realized gains are paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $53,216,678 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 3,966,098  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 3,966,098  

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards which consist of $1,082,708 in short-term capital losses and $906,231 in long-term capital losses.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of
affiliated Master
Portfolio
 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term    $ 57,182,776  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  21


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Notes to financial statements

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.16

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class

     0.10  

Institutional Class

     0.08  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.78% for Class A shares, 1.53% for Class C shares, 0.40% for Class R6 shares, 0.60% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.45% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $65 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
    

Non-U.S.

government

    

U.S.

government

    

Non-U.S.

government

$3,621,157      $11,256,534      $11,770,359      $11,516,037

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 1,315,187      $ 1,409,996  

Long-term capital gain

     0        226,455  

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary

income

  

Unrealized

gains

  

Capital loss

carryforward

$72,082    $3,966,098    $(1,988,939)

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  23


Table of Contents

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Real Return Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 12.66%

 

Consumer Staples: 3.73%

 

Beverages: 0.62%  

PepsiCo Incorporated

          7,618      $ 1,002,148  
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 0.92%  

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          1,672        515,762  

Walmart Incorporated

          7,908        981,066  
             1,496,828  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.61%  

Mondelez International Incorporated Class A

          9,802        510,880  

Nomad Foods Limited †

          12,990        275,128  

Tyson Foods Incorporated Class A

          3,169        194,703  
             980,711  
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 1.36%  

Church & Dwight Company Incorporated

          6,577        493,735  

The Clorox Company

          1,640        338,250  

The Procter & Gamble Company

          11,849        1,373,536  
             2,205,521  
          

 

 

 
Tobacco: 0.22%  

Philip Morris International Incorporated

          4,953        363,352  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 1.15%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.15%  

BP plc

          23,180        536,385  

Chevron Corporation

          7,961        730,024  

Phillips 66

          7,623        596,576  
             1,862,985  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 0.08%

 

Mortgage REITs: 0.08%  

AGNC Investment Corporation

          10,171        131,613  
          

 

 

 

Materials: 3.23%

 

Chemicals: 1.05%  

Ecolab Incorporated

          1,407        299,100  

Linde plc

          3,334        674,602  

The Sherwin-Williams Company

          771        457,858  

Westlake Chemical Corporation

          5,632        268,635  
             1,700,195  
          

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 0.15%  

Martin Marietta Materials Incorporated

          1,253        240,689  
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.12%  

Crown Holdings Incorporated †

          3,023        197,795  
          

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 1.91%  

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited

          2,300        147,200  

Alacer Gold Corporation †

          7,000        43,621  

Alamos Gold Incorporated Class A

          10,500        85,031  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Metals & Mining (continued)  

AngloGold Ashanti Limited ADR

          3,500      $ 85,960  

B2Gold Corporation

          27,000        148,840  

Barrick Gold Corporation

          12,056        289,344  

Endeavour Mining Corporation †

          2,700        65,066  

Evolution Mining Limited

          21,000        84,174  

Franco-Nevada Corporation

          1,000        140,364  

Gold Fields Limited ADR

          11,500        88,780  

Kinross Gold Corporation †

          21,500        139,757  

Kirkland Lake Gold Limited

          3,437        132,428  

MAG Silver Corporation †

          6,000        74,562  

Newcrest Mining Limited

          6,200        125,630  

Newmont Goldcorp Corporation

          5,940        347,312  

Northern Star Resources Limited

          15,000        145,236  

Pan American Silver Corporation

          3,300        96,690  

Royal Gold Incorporated

          2,342        311,954  

SSR Mining Incorporated †

          3,100        59,613  

Steel Dynamics Incorporated

          7,368        195,694  

Torex Gold Resources Incorporated †

          5,000        68,998  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corporation

          4,100        176,644  

Yamana Gold Incorporated

          9,000        48,698  
             3,101,596  
          

 

 

 

Real Estate: 4.47%

          
Equity REITs: 4.47%                           

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

          2,314        355,708  

American Homes 4 Rent Class A

          8,535        215,423  

American Tower Corporation

          3,252        839,569  

Camden Property Trust

          2,593        237,441  

CoreSite Realty Corporation

          2,352        293,577  

Equinix Incorporated

          1,175        819,715  

Equity Residential

          3,508        212,444  

Four Corners Property Trust Incorporated

          14,457        312,560  

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

          9,571        293,830  

Host Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

          10,882        129,931  

Hudson Pacific Properties Incorporated

          6,749        163,123  

Invitation Homes Incorporated

          12,539        329,776  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Incorporated

          2,072        241,098  

Prologis Incorporated

          7,688        703,452  

Public Storage Incorporated

          1,077        218,351  

Retail Opportunity Investment Corporation

          16,380        153,808  

SBA Communications Corporation

          1,707        536,220  

Simon Property Group Incorporated

          1,970        113,669  

STAG Industrial Incorporated

          7,719        207,641  

Sun Communities Incorporated

          3,287        450,944  

VICI Properties Incorporated

          20,686        405,859  
             7,234,139  
          

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $16,454,740)

 

     20,517,572  
  

 

 

 
          

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Corporate Bonds and Notes: 13.53%

 

Communication Services: 1.75%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 0.45%  

CenturyLink Incorporated

    6.75     12-1-2023      $ 260,000      $ 282,264  

CenturyLink Incorporated

    6.45       6-15-2021        155,000        159,263  

Commscope Holding Company Incorporated 144A

    5.50       3-1-2024        75,000        77,134  

Level 3 Financing Incorporated

    5.38       1-15-2024        125,000        126,563  

Level 3 Financing Incorporated

    5.38       5-1-2025        85,000        87,321  
            732,545  
         

 

 

 
Entertainment: 0.38%  

Netflix Incorporated

    5.38       2-1-2021        600,000        612,750  
         

 

 

 
Media: 0.66%  

CSC Holdings LLC

    6.75       11-15-2021        105,000        110,621  

DISH DBS Corporation

    5.88       7-15-2022        190,000        195,267  

DISH DBS Corporation

    6.75       6-1-2021        155,000        158,100  

Sirius XM Radio Incorporated 144A

    3.88       8-1-2022        600,000        601,500  
            1,065,488  
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.26%  

Sprint Corporation

    7.88       9-15-2023        155,000        175,925  

Sprint Spectrum Company LLC 144A

    3.36       3-20-2023        65,625        65,912  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated

    4.00       4-15-2022        175,000        179,813  
            421,650  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 2.53%

 

Auto Components: 0.12%  

Allison Transmission Incorporated 144A

    5.00       10-1-2024        200,000        201,500  
         

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.14%  

MGM Resorts International

    7.75       3-15-2022        130,000        135,311  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited 144A

    11.50       6-1-2025        85,000        90,130  
            225,441  
         

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.94%  

KB Home

    7.50       9-15-2022        315,000        344,925  

Lennar Corporation

    6.25       12-15-2021        250,000        257,344  

Newell Brands Incorporated

    4.35       4-1-2023        267,000        274,343  

Pulte Group Incorporated

    4.25       3-1-2021        400,000        406,040  

Toll Brothers Finance Corporation

    5.88       2-15-2022        225,000        234,281  
            1,516,933  
         

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 0.26%  

QVC Incorporated

    4.38       3-15-2023        140,000        136,500  

QVC Incorporated

    5.13       7-2-2022        290,000        289,638  
            426,138  
         

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.21%  

Macy’s Incorporated 144A%%

    8.38       6-15-2025        235,000        238,231  

Macy’s Retail Holdings Incorporated

    3.45       1-15-2021        100,000        97,000  
            335,231  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Specialty Retail: 0.75%

 

Group 1 Automotive Incorporated

    5.00 %       6-1-2022      $ 395,000      $ 387,100  

L Brands Incorporated

    6.63       4-1-2021        365,000        363,175  

Penske Auto Group Incorporated

    3.75       8-15-2020        360,000        356,432  

Penske Auto Group Incorporated

    5.75       10-1-2022        110,000        110,275  
            1,216,982  
         

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.11%  

Levi Strauss & Company

    5.00       5-1-2025        180,000        183,600  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 0.49%

 

Food Products: 0.21%  

Albertsons Company

    6.63       6-15-2024        330,000        341,220  
         

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.28%  

Edgewell Personal Care Company

    4.70       5-19-2021        380,000        394,782  

Edgewell Personal Care Company

    4.70       5-24-2022        60,000        61,800  
            456,582  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 1.59%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.59%  

Apache Corporation

    3.25       4-15-2022        115,000        110,488  

Buckeye Partners LP 144A

    4.13       3-1-2025        50,000        49,063  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP

    6.25       4-1-2023        210,000        200,025  

DCP Midstream Operating LP 144A

    4.75       9-30-2021        300,000        294,000  

NuStar Logistics LP

    4.80       9-1-2020        210,000        211,706  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

    6.25       3-15-2022        250,000        265,941  

Southern Star Central Corporation 144A

    5.13       7-15-2022        405,000        405,122  

Suburban Propane Partners LP

    5.50       6-1-2024        345,000        348,450  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP 144A

    4.75       10-1-2023        360,000        351,900  

Targa Resources Partners LP

    4.25       11-15-2023        345,000        337,303  
            2,573,998  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 2.04%

 

Banks: 0.19%  

CIT Group Incorporated

    5.00       8-15-2022        305,000        305,763  
         

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 0.25%  

Blue Cube Spinco Incorporated

    10.00       10-15-2025        390,000        410,998  
         

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.99%  

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC

    3.34       3-18-2021        170,000        167,144  

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC

    5.60       1-7-2022        160,000        159,600  

General Motors Financial Company

    4.20       3-1-2021        380,000        383,811  

Navient Corporation

    5.00       10-26-2020        400,000        394,000  

Springleaf Finance Corporation

    6.13       3-15-2024        95,000        92,179  

Springleaf Finance Corporation

    7.75       10-1-2021        390,000        399,750  
            1,596,484  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.19%  

LPL Holdings Incorporated 144A

    5.75       9-15-2025        295,000        306,694  
         

 

 

 
Insurance: 0.11%  

Genworth Holdings Incorporated

    7.63       9-24-2021        195,000        180,178  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Mortgage REITs: 0.12%

 

Starwood Property Trust Incorporated

    5.00 %       12-15-2021      $ 200,000      $ 196,000  
         

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 0.19%  

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LP 144A

    5.25       3-15-2022        330,000        308,550  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 1.48%

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 0.05%  

Hologic Incorporated 144A

    4.38       10-15-2025        75,000        76,672  
         

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 1.43%  

Centene Corporation

    4.75       5-15-2022        435,000        440,459  

Centene Corporation

    4.75       1-15-2025        130,000        134,225  

HealthSouth Corporation

    5.13       3-15-2023        290,000        291,450  

Magellan Health Incorporated

    4.90       9-22-2024        180,000        183,600  

MEDNAX Incorporated 144A

    5.25       12-1-2023        335,000        328,300  

Molina Healthcare Incorporated

    5.38       11-15-2022        400,000        414,220  

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

    4.63       7-15-2024        240,000        243,000  

Universal Health Services Incorporated 144A

    4.75       8-1-2022        282,000        282,000  
            2,317,254  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 1.43%

 

Airlines: 0.33%  

American Airlines Group Company 144A

    5.00       6-1-2022        430,000        249,400  

United Continental Holdings Incorporated

    4.25       10-1-2022        360,000        288,900  
            538,300  
         

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.34%  

ADT Corporation

    6.25       10-15-2021        350,000        361,946  

Mobile Mini Incorporated

    5.88       7-1-2024        190,000        194,750  
            556,696  
         

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.32%  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation

    8.00       5-15-2022        395,000        402,900  

Taylor Morrison Communities Incorporated 144A

    5.88       4-15-2023        110,000        109,725  
            512,625  
         

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.04%  

Wesco Distribution Incorporated Company 144A%%

    7.13       6-15-2025        55,000        55,000  
         

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.40%  

Aircastle Limited

    5.13       3-15-2021        275,000        269,615  

Fortress Transportation & Infrastructure Investors LLC 144A

    6.75       3-15-2022        415,000        384,116  
            653,731  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.99%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.22%  

Anixter International Incorporated

    5.13       10-1-2021        350,000        357,875  
         

 

 

 
IT Services: 0.20%  

Cardtronics Incorporated 144A

    5.50       5-1-2025        345,000        324,300  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Software: 0.32%

 

NortonLifeLock Incorporated 144A

    5.00 %       4-15-2025      $ 120,000      $ 122,400  

Symantec Corporation

    4.20       9-15-2020        395,000        396,481  
            518,881  
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 0.25%  

Dell International LLC 144A

    7.13       6-15-2024        245,000        254,339  

EMC Corporation

    2.65       6-1-2020        158,000        158,000  
            412,339  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.29%

 

Chemicals: 0.04%  

Chemours Company

    6.63       5-15-2023        65,000        65,163  
         

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.21%  

Berry Global Incorporated

    5.50       5-15-2022        22,000        21,946  

Owens-Brockway Glass Container Incorporated 144A

    5.00       1-15-2022        57,000        57,428  

Sealed Air Corporation 144A

    5.13       12-1-2024        50,000        54,111  

Sealed Air Corporation 144A

    5.25       4-1-2023        190,000        199,975  
            333,460  
         

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.04%  

Freeport-McMoRan Incorporated

    3.55       3-1-2022        69,000        69,690  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 0.35%

 

Equity REITs: 0.20%  

CoreCivic Incorporated

    4.63       5-1-2023        245,000        237,650  

CoreCivic Incorporated

    5.00       10-15-2022        35,000        34,300  

SBA Communications Corporation

    4.00       10-1-2022        60,000        60,838  
            332,788  
         

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.15%  

Realogy Group LLC 144A

    5.25       12-1-2021        250,000        238,750  
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 0.59%

 

Electric Utilities: 0.16%  

DPL Incorporated

    7.25       10-15-2021        145,000        148,988  

NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP 144A

    4.25       7-15-2024        100,000        103,250  
            252,238  
         

 

 

 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.43%  

TerraForm Power Operating LLC 144A

    4.25       1-31-2023        500,000        508,750  

The AES Corporation

    4.50       3-15-2023        185,000        188,478  
            697,228  
         

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $22,317,090)

 

     21,927,715  
  

 

 

 

Loans: 3.42%

 

Communication Services: 0.85%

 

Entertainment: 0.08%  

Live Nation Entertainment Inc Term Loan B4 (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.94       10-17-2026        136,158        127,376  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Media: 0.51%

 

CSC Holdings LLC (1 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    2.68 %       4-15-2027      $ 370,689      $ 357,021  

Diamond Sports Group LLC (1 Month LIBOR +3.25%) ±

    3.42       8-24-2026        348,250        298,189  

Virgin Media Bristol LLC (1 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    2.68       1-31-2028        175,000        169,458  
            824,668  
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.26%  

SBA Senior Finance II LLC (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.93       4-11-2025        430,788        418,451  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 0.26%

 

Auto Components: 0.09%  

Belron Finance US LLC Term Loan B ‡

    2.97       11-7-2024        156,400        152,490  
         

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.13%  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       5-30-2025        216,700        205,943  
         

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 0.04%  

Sally Beauty Holdings Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    2.43       7-5-2024        64,064        60,220  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 0.08%

 

Food Products: 0.08%  

Prestige Brands Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.17       1-26-2024        131,416        128,733  
         

 

 

 
Energy: 0.16%  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.16%  

Apergy Corporation 2020 Term Loan <

    5.00       5-29-2027        40,000        38,000  

Buckeye Partners LP (1 Month LIBOR +2.75%) ±

    3.12       11-1-2026        230,000        223,100  
            261,100  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 0.30%

 

Consumer Finance: 0.22%  

TransUnion LLC (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       11-16-2026        363,487        351,598  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.08%  

Delos Finance SARL (3 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    3.20       10-6-2023        140,000        133,613  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 0.10%

 

Health Care Providers & Services: 0.10%  

HCA Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       3-18-2026        112,103        109,800  

Select Medical Corporation (1 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    2.67       3-6-2025        49,214        47,369  
            157,169  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 1.00%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.09%  

Rexnord LLC (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       8-21-2024        156,250        153,955  
         

 

 

 
Building Products: 0.37%  

Advanced Drainage Systems Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    2.63       7-31-2026        323,250        315,573  

Flex Acquisition Company (3 Month LIBOR +3.00%) ±‡<

    3.00       12-29-2023        300,000        282,750  
            598,323  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.41%

 

Advanced Disposal Services Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    3.00 %       11-10-2023      $ 175,722      $ 174,096  

Aramark Services Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       3-28-2024        106,844        101,903  

Aramark Services Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       3-11-2025        364,323        346,380  

KAR Auction Services Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    2.44       9-19-2026        38,969        37,216  
            659,595  
         

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.02%  

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    3.95       1-31-2024        37,883        36,178  
         

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 0.11%  

Genesee & Wyoming Incorporated (3 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    3.45       12-30-2026        180,000        175,918  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.41%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.12%  

CDW LLC (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.93       10-13-2026        195,929        192,684  
         

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.19%  

ON Semiconductor Corporation (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.17       9-19-2026        313,425        304,480  
         

 

 

 
Software: 0.10%  

SS&C Technologies Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       4-16-2025        102,767        99,363  

SS&C Technologies Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.92       4-16-2025        70,636        68,296  
            167,659  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.26%

 

Chemicals: 0.16%  

Ineos US Finance LLC (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.17       4-1-2024        264,787        253,753  
         

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.10%  

Berry Global Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.22       10-1-2022        175,000        172,239  
         

 

 

 

Total Loans (Cost $5,770,787)

 

     5,536,145  
  

 

 

 
U.S. Treasury Securities: 67.12%  

TIPS

    0.13       7-15-2022        2,301,125        2,327,810  

TIPS

    0.13       1-15-2023        5,379,119        5,438,599  

TIPS

    0.13       7-15-2024        2,647,137        2,722,826  

TIPS

    0.13       10-15-2024        2,998,208        3,090,681  

TIPS

    0.13       7-15-2026        3,656,076        3,814,406  

TIPS

    0.13       1-15-2030        2,944,686        3,125,248  

TIPS

    0.25       1-15-2025        4,522,836        4,676,466  

TIPS

    0.25       7-15-2029        1,745,830        1,873,953  

TIPS

    0.25       2-15-2050        436,757        478,608  

TIPS

    0.38       7-15-2023        4,630,952        4,758,990  

TIPS

    0.38       7-15-2025        6,117,426        6,419,179  

TIPS

    0.38       1-15-2027        3,179,115        3,368,900  

TIPS

    0.38       7-15-2027        1,540,665        1,646,971  

TIPS

    0.50       1-15-2028        3,343,536        3,605,908  

TIPS

    0.63       4-15-2023        4,104,919        4,212,387  

TIPS

    0.63       1-15-2024        3,578,881        3,713,939  

TIPS

    0.63       1-15-2026        5,372,100        5,716,652  

TIPS

    0.63       2-15-2043        2,060,246        2,380,722  

TIPS

    0.75       7-15-2028        2,277,795        2,523,765  

TIPS

    0.75       2-15-2042        2,781,695        3,271,431  

TIPS

    0.75       2-15-2045        1,989,585        2,388,478  

TIPS

    0.88       1-15-2029        884,290        990,020  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
U.S. Treasury Securities (continued)  

TIPS

    0.88 %       2-15-2047      $ 1,074,697      $ 1,345,353  

TIPS

    1.00       2-15-2046        1,557,871        1,984,208  

TIPS

    1.00       2-15-2048        1,198,563        1,554,138  

TIPS

    1.00       2-15-2049        712,945        934,940  

TIPS

    1.38       2-15-2044        2,248,408        3,016,026  

TIPS

    1.75       1-15-2028        2,359,586        2,775,411  

TIPS

    2.00       1-15-2026        2,926,283        3,342,141  

TIPS

    2.13       2-15-2040        1,242,062        1,796,157  

TIPS

    2.13       2-15-2041        1,585,405        2,324,605  

TIPS

    2.38       1-15-2025        4,019,277        4,555,798  

TIPS

    2.38       1-15-2027        2,169,617        2,593,980  

TIPS

    2.50       1-15-2029        2,272,347        2,867,941  

TIPS

    3.38       4-15-2032        916,190        1,339,073  

TIPS

    3.63       4-15-2028        1,843,357        2,442,649  

TIPS

    3.88       4-15-2029        2,418,139        3,354,917  

Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $99,294,373)

 

     108,773,276  
  

 

 

 

Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes: 2.07%

 

Communication Services: 0.42%  
Media: 0.42%  

Nielsen Holding and Finance BV 144A

    5.50       10-1-2021        289,000        289,361  

Videotron Limited

    5.00       7-15-2022        375,000        388,125  
            677,486  
         

 

 

 
Consumer Discretionary: 0.16%  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.16%  

International Game Technology plc 144A

    6.25       2-15-2022        250,000        255,138  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 0.22%

 

Energy Equipment & Services: 0.22%  

Alcoa Nederland Holding Company BV 144A

    6.75       9-30-2024        355,000        360,325  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 0.73%

 

Pharmaceuticals: 0.73%  

Bausch Health Companies Incorporated 144A

    6.50       3-15-2022        535,000        544,256  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance BV

    2.20       7-21-2021        275,000        269,624  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance BV

    2.80       7-21-2023        310,000        292,950  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance BV

    3.65       11-10-2021        70,000        68,950  
            1,175,780  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.11%

 

Communications Equipment: 0.11%  

Nokia OYJ

    3.38       6-12-2022        180,000        183,600  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.43%

 

Chemicals: 0.22%  

Park Aerospace Holdings Company 144A

    5.25       8-15-2022        400,000        353,014  
         

 

 

 

Metals & Mining: 0.21%

 

FMG Resources Proprietary Limited 144A

    4.75       5-15-2022        345,000        350,365  
         

 

 

 

Total Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $3,371,811)

 

     3,355,708  
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Yield             Shares      Value  
Short-Term Investments: 0.57%  
Investment Companies: 0.57%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)##

    0.12                                 923,723      $ 923,723  
       

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $923,723)

 

     923,723        
  

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $148,132,524)     99.37        161,034,139  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.63          1,020,733  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 162,054,872  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

144A

The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

%%

The security is purchased on a when-issued basis.

±

Variable rate investment. The rate shown is the rate in effect at period end.

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs.

<

All or a portion of the position represents an unfunded loan commitment. The rate represents current interest rate if the loan is partially funded.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

##

All or a portion of this security is segregated for when-issued securities and/or unfunded loans.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

 

TIPS

Treasury inflation-protected securities

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

2-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     14        9-30-2020      $ 3,090,851      $ 3,091,813      $ 962      $ 0  

Short

                 

10-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     (25)        9-21-2020        (3,466,181      (3,476,563      0        (10,382

10-Year Ultra Futures

     (3)        9-21-2020        (469,635      (471,984      0        (2,349

U.S. Ultra Bond

     (8)        9-21-2020        (1,739,187      (1,744,250      0        (5,063

5-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     (64)        9-30-2020        (8,023,940      (8,040,000      0        (16,060
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 962      $ (33,854
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Shares,
beginning of

period

    Shares
purchased
   

Shares

sold

   

Shares,
end of

period

   

Net

realized

gains

(losses)

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses)

   

Income

from

affiliated

securities

   

Value,

end of

period

   

% of

net

assets

 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

    0       3,588,528       (3,588,528     0     $ (13   $ 0     $ 1,443 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,121,643       44,536,645       (45,734,565     923,723       0       0       28,557       923,723    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (13   $ 0     $ 30,000     $ 923,723       0.57
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $147,208,801)

  $ 160,110,416  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $923,723)

    923,723  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,402)

    1,510  

Cash

    291,006  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    226,321  

Receivable for investments sold

    819,606  

Receivable for dividends and interest

    663,685  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    56,261  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    163,092,528  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    945,755  

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    46,141  

Advisory fee payable

    44,957  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    803  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,037,656  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 162,054,872  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest

  $ 3,836,384  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $12,363)

    596,946  

Income from affiliated securities

    28,949  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,462,279  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    699,629  

Custody and accounting fees

    17,287  

Professional fees

    46,570  

Shareholder report expenses

    1,427  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    20,776  

Other fees and expenses

    8,530  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    794,219  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (112,426
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    681,793  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3,780,486  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized losses on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (2,298,470

Affiliated securities

    (13

Futures contracts

    (636,028
 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (2,934,511
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    8,793,994  

Futures contracts

    5,286  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    8,799,280  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5,864,769  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 9,645,255  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

 

Net investment income

  $ 3,780,486     $ 4,635,632  

Net realized losses on investments

    (2,934,511     (2,945,442

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    8,799,280       3,096,994  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    9,645,255       4,787,184  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions

   

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

 

Contributions

    25,838,830       110,886,812  

Withdrawals

    (56,167,504     (78,081,410
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (30,328,674     32,805,402  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (20,683,419     37,592,586  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

    182,738,291       145,145,705  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 162,054,872     $ 182,738,291  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019      2018      2017      2016  

Total return

     5.92      2.99      1.67      2.65      1.29

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

              

Gross expenses

     0.45      0.45      0.48      0.52      0.56

Net expenses

     0.39      0.40      0.41      0.44      0.44

Net investment income

     2.16      2.29      2.40      2.36      1.45

Supplemental data

              

Portfolio turnover rate

     24      39      29      25      29

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign securities are traded, but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, then fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio are applied. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Foreign securities that are fair valued under these procedures are categorized as Level 2 and the application of these procedures may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in net asset values that are higher or lower than net asset values based on the last reported sales price or latest quoted bid price. On May 31, 2020, such fair value pricing was used in pricing certain foreign securities.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Portfolio are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

Participation notes

The Portfolio may invest in participation notes to gain exposure to securities in certain foreign markets. Participation notes are issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying foreign security. Participation notes involve transaction costs, which may be higher than those applicable to the underlying foreign security. The holder of the participation note is entitled to receive from the bank or broker-dealer, an amount equal to the dividend paid by the issuer of the underlying foreign security; however, the holder is not entitled to the same rights (i.e. voting rights) as an owner of the underlying foreign security. Investments in participation notes involve risks beyond those normally associated with a direct investment in an underlying security. The Portfolio has no rights against the issuer of the underlying foreign security and participation notes expose the Portfolio to counterparty risk in the event the counterparty does not perform. There is also no assurance there will be a secondary trading market for the participation note or that the trading price of the participation note will equal the underlying value of the foreign security that it seeks to replicate.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

When-issued transactions

The Portfolio may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. The Portfolio records a when-issued transaction on the trade date and will segregate assets in an amount at least equal in value to the Portfolio’s commitment to purchase when-issued securities. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and the Portfolio begins earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

Loans

The Portfolio may invest in direct debt instruments which are interests in amounts owed to lenders by corporate or other borrowers. The loans pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. Investments in loans may be in the form of participations in loans or assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. When the Portfolio purchases participations, it generally has no rights to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with the borrower. As a result, the Portfolio assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. When the Portfolio purchases assignments from lenders, it acquires direct rights against the borrower on the loan and may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement. Loans may include fully funded term loans or unfunded loan commitments, which are contractual obligations for future funding.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Portfolio and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Portfolio may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates and is subject to interest rate risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Portfolio and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Portfolio since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Portfolio is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Portfolio fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Portfolio’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Inflation-indexed bonds and TIPS

The Portfolio may invest in inflation-indexed bonds, including Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation-indexed bonds and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds) will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates may rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds, including TIPS, decline in value when real interest rates rise. In certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, inflation-indexed bonds may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar durations.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the custodian verifies the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All interest, dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether interest, dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $148,538,694 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 14,912,826  

Gross unrealized losses

     (2,450,273

Net unrealized gains

   $ 12,462,553  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer staples

   $ 6,048,560      $ 0      $ 0      $ 6,048,560  

Energy

     1,862,985        0        0        1,862,985  

Financials

     131,613        0        0        131,613  

Materials

     4,885,235        355,040        0        5,240,275  

Real estate

     7,234,139        0        0        7,234,139  

Corporate bonds and notes

     0        21,927,715        0        21,927,715  

Loans

     0        4,651,718        884,427        5,536,145  

U.S. Treasury securities

     108,773,276        0        0        108,773,276  

Yankee corporate bonds and notes

     0        3,355,708        0        3,355,708  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     923,723        0        0        923,723  
     129,859,531        30,290,181        884,427        161,034,139  

Futures contracts

     962        0        0        962  

Total assets

   $ 129,860,493      $ 30,290,181      $ 884,427      $ 161,035,101  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 33,854      $ 0      $ 0      $ 33,854  

Total liabilities

   $ 33,854      $ 0      $ 0      $ 33,854  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

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4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.400

Next $500 million

     0.375  

Next $2 billion

     0.350  

Next $2 billion

     0.325  

Next $5 billion

     0.300  

Over $10 billion

     0.290  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.40% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.28% and declining to 0.18% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Funds Management has voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed advisory fees to reduce the net operating expense ratio of the Portfolio.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$10,262,289      $31,900,797      $33,356,968      $32,636,224

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

 

 

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7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio entered into futures contracts to speculate on interest rates and to help manage the duration of the portfolio. The Portfolio had an average notional amount of $3,328,875 in long futures contracts and $7,168,090 in short futures contracts during the year ended May 31, 2020.

The fair value, realized gains or losses and change in unrealized gains or losses, if any, on derivative instruments are reflected in the corresponding financial statement captions.

8. BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

In March 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. ASU 2017-08 shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount and discounts will continue to be accreted to the maturity date of the security. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. During the current reporting period, management of the Portfolio adopted the change in accounting policy which did not have a material impact to the Portfolio’s financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 8.61% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $153,127 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $1,071,834 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, 16.67% of the ordinary income distributed was derived from interest on U.S. government securities.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment

company

directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment

company

directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Nancy Wiser1

(Born 1967)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund and Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Real Return Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management, for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management

 

 

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and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for the five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index, for all periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than its benchmark index for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for all share classes.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management, advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were in range of the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for each share class.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was in range of the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Master Trust Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Boards noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Master Portfolio and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund. Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00337 07-20

A288/AR288 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   22
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   26
Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  
Portfolio of investments   27
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   51
Statement of operations   52
Statement of changes in net assets   53
Financial highlights   54
Notes to financial statements   55
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   60
Other information   61
Appendix I   70
Appendix II   71
Appendix III   73
Appendix IV   74

 

 

 

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Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Maulik Bhansali, CFA®

Thomas O’Connor, CFA®*

Jarad Vasquez

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (MBFAX)   10-31-2001     4.10       2.55       3.43       9.03       3.50       3.90       0.83       0.78  
                   
Class C (MBFCX)   10-31-2001     7.22       2.73       3.12       8.22       2.73       3.12       1.58       1.53  
                   
Class R (WTRRX)4   7-9-2010                       8.80       3.24       3.64       1.08       1.03  
                   
Class R4 (MBFRX)5   11-30-2012                       9.34       3.78       4.19       0.60       0.52  
                   
Class R6 (WTRIX)6   11-30-2012                       9.42       3.92       4.32       0.45       0.37  
                   
Administrator Class (MNTRX)   6-30-1997                       9.14       3.58       3.99       0.77       0.70  
                   
Institutional Class (MBFIX)   10-31-2001                       9.45       3.87       4.29       0.50       0.42  
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         9.42       3.94       3.92              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 4.50%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R, Class R4, Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). Securities issued by U.S. government agencies or government-sponsored entities may not be guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk and mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20208

LOGO

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

*

Thomas O’Connor, CFA has announced his intention to retire from Wells Capital Management Incorporated on December 31, 2020. He will continue to serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund through that date.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.78% for Class A, 1.53% for Class C, 1.03% for Class R, 0.52% for Class R4, 0.37% for Class R6, 0.70% for Administrator Class, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to the Class R shares.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Class R4 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to the Class R4 shares.

 

6 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 4.50%.

 

9 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

10 

Amounts represent the portfolio composition of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

11 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund (Class A, excluding sales charges) underperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

A sector overweight to asset-backed securities (ABS) and poor security selection within ABS and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) detracted from performance, particularly during March 2020.

 

 

Security selection in the credit sector and in agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) contributed to performance and was an offset to the negative performance comparisons versus benchmark.

The global economy and markets faced a range of issues.

Despite trade tensions presenting a clear overhang along with political uneasiness with China, such as its own tensions with Hong Kong, the U.S. economy coasted into year-end with sub-trend growth, while stocks and credit were performing well. Slowing manufacturing surveys amid ongoing uncertainties on trade, weak export performance, and the impact of the General Motors strike and Boeing’s production halt all loomed large.

As we moved into the new year, concerns around the broadening scope of the coronavirus outbreak began to simmer, adding to a high degree of uncertainty in the U.S. and global economies. The outbreak of the coronavirus intensified and spread from mainland China into several other countries during February, first erupting in Italy and Iran before moving to the United States and elsewhere throughout the globe, sending shockwaves through financial markets.

While signs of economic strength were emerging early in the year, moves toward shutdowns of all but essential activity to contain the spread of the virus had profound effects on world economies. Early indicators suggest unprecedented declines in economic activity coupled with a rapid rise of unemployment as companies furloughed workers to mitigate the impact of lost revenue and to conserve liquidity. Consensus forecasts for second-quarter U.S. gross domestic product suggests a decline of 30% to 50% with unemployment moving toward 15%.

The pandemic contributed to extreme volatility.

Quite understandably, the outset of the pandemic contributed to periods of extreme volatility in financial markets. U.S. fixed-income markets seized up in a dramatic rush for cash, on behalf of both corporate and investor participants, prices plunged across the spectrum of our opportunity set amid violent technical moves. Policymakers responded swiftly, using the playbook from the 2008 financial crisis, but with far more firepower and all in a period of a few weeks. The U.S. Federal Reserve lowered rates to near zero and announced a broad array of liquidity support measures, such as buying sufficient Treasuries and agency mortgages to support smooth market functioning after high volatility and coordinating with the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide lending power for purchases of ABS, commercial paper, money markets, small business loans, and investment-grade corporate issuance. Further, Congress provided $2 trillion of fiscal stimulus on a broad bipartisan basis to support workers and affected sectors, with additional packages likely forthcoming. Foreign countries are following with fiscal and monetary stimulus of their own, and there are early signs of stepped-up international coordination from the International Monetary Fund and G-20.

While hope is for the stimulus measures to provide a bridge to eventual reopenings, shocking U.S. economic data released during April and May reflected an idle U.S. economy amid coronavirus closures that are just now beginning to ease. We expect a continuing trend of eye-popping economic and corporate results for the next many quarters but for now, the financial markets are looking beyond the current fundamentals.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20209  
   

FNMA, 2.50%, 6-11-2050

     2.85  
   

FNMA, 2.50%, 8-13-2050

     2.71  
   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 2.75%, 11-15-2042

     2.29  
   

FNMA, 2.50%, 7-14-2050

     1.88  
   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 2.88%, 5-15-2043

     1.66  
   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.13%, 8-15-2044

     1.62  
   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 1.13%, 5-15-2040

     1.38  
   

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.13%, 5-31-2022

     1.36  
   

FHLMC, 4.00%, 7-1-2049

     1.14  
   

GNMA, 4.00%, 6-20-2047

     1.13  
Portfolio composition as of May 31, 202010
LOGO
 

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Stocks and credit markets soared in April and May on the heels of the extraordinary stimulus measures driving record inflows into riskier assets, including credit strategies. At period-end, the S&P 500 Index11 was up more than 36% from its 52-week low on March 23 and credit funds were reporting an accelerating pace of inflows, fueling the incredibly strong technical conditions.

Heading into 2020, the core strategy was positioned with modest underweights to the credit and CMBS sectors and overweight positions in MBS and ABS. Taking advantage of the dramatic sell-off in credit, which has presented a robust opportunity for security selection, we have increased our exposure to the highly liquid agency MBS sector, with some modest reductions to ABS as an offset. We continue to maintain an underweight to commercial MBS, with significant questions about commercial real estate fundamentals.

We believe fixed-income markets are providing superior security selection opportunities in 2020 and potentially for a number of quarters and years as we observe attractive valuations and an extended period of heightened volatility. We will seek to add value through our bottom-up, active, relative-value investment management while maintaining disciplined risk management and a duration-neutral approach. As always, we continue to focus on bottom-up security selection in what are unusually disorderly markets. As always, we remain nimble and agile and stand ready to take advantage of opportunities across our opportunity set, the most liquid components of the U.S. fixed-income universe.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund Expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,053.12      $ 4.00        0.78

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.10      $ 3.94        0.78
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,048.90      $ 7.82        1.53

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.37      $ 7.70        1.53
         

Class R

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,052.36      $ 5.09        0.99

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.04      $ 5.01        0.99
         

Class R4

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,054.05      $ 2.67        0.52

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.40      $ 2.63        0.52
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,054.87      $ 1.90        0.37

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.15      $ 1.87        0.37
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,053.89      $ 3.58        0.70

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.52      $ 3.52        0.70
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,054.61      $ 2.16        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.90      $ 2.12        0.42

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.00%                           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.00%                           

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

           $ 5,464,570,176  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $5,290,657,085)

             5,464,570,176      
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $5,290,657,085)     100.00        5,464,570,176  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.00          107,646  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 5,464,677,822  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains (losses)
on securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Value,
end

of period

    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    93     95   $ 306,742,964     $ 56,934,677     $ 142,065,598     $ 1,837,951     $ 5,464,570,176       100.00

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $5,290,657,085)

  $ 5,464,570,176  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    8,750,159  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    15,027  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,473,335,362  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    6,061,601  

Dividends payable

    1,751,113  

Management fee payable

    131,910  

Administration fees payable

    286,485  

Distribution fees payable

    18,278  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    843  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    407,310  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    8,657,540  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 5,464,677,822  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 5,132,209,537  

Total distributable earnings

    332,468,285  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 5,464,677,822  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 299,642,121  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    21,143,131  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $14.17  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $14.84  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 27,971,348  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    1,993,026  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $14.03  

Net assets – Class R

  $ 3,240,527  

Shares outstanding – Class R1

    234,284  

Net asset value per share – Class R

    $13.83  

Net assets – Class R4

  $ 4,548,628  

Share outstanding – Class R41

    328,978  

Net asset value per share – Class R4

    $13.83  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 2,545,332,095  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    184,184,376  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $13.82  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 218,522,163  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    15,797,219  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $13.83  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 2,365,420,940  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    171,219,253  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $13.82  

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/95.50 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

  $ 142,065,598  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    1,837,951  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (19,028,985
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    124,874,564  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    2,688,785  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    478,850  

Class C

    49,215  

Class R

    8,323  

Class R4

    5,406  

Class R6

    756,695  

Administrator Class

    206,329  

Institutional Class

    1,926,516  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    747,869  

Class C

    76,808  

Class R

    12,359  

Class R4

    6,756  

Administrator Class

    512,120  

Distribution fees

 

Class C

    230,090  

Class R

    12,584  

Custody and accounting fees

    184,137  

Professional fees

    35,323  

Registration fees

    237,262  

Shareholder report expenses

    325,558  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    102,230  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    8,624,807  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (2,108,224

Class A

    (23,650

Class C

    (2,037

Class R4

    (2,528

Class R6

    (756,695

Administrator Class

    (57,433

Institutional Class

    (913,629
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    4,760,611  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    120,113,953  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    306,742,964  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    56,934,677  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    363,677,641  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 483,791,594  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 120,113,953       $ 149,517,912  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      306,742,964         (17,410,516

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      56,934,677         182,530,737  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      483,791,594         314,638,133  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (6,294,414       (7,707,522

Class C

      (417,858       (731,013

Class R

      (97,982       (258,514

Class R4

      (161,109       (310,999

Class R6

      (63,508,068       (65,026,382

Administrator Class

      (4,506,235       (6,822,022

Institutional Class

      (59,496,339       (68,704,939
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (134,482,005       (149,561,391
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    5,035,376       68,831,957       5,814,230       74,731,899  

Class C

    737,031       9,984,279       504,131       6,445,467  

Class R

    91,423       1,215,599       192,684       2,418,555  

Class R4

    183,129       2,446,252       232,839       2,916,548  

Class R6

    46,956,601       627,133,874       134,743,486       1,690,762,705  

Administrator Class

    5,387,937       72,239,222       7,054,319       87,991,112  

Institutional Class

    67,880,909       903,670,274       62,642,714       786,483,803  
 

 

 

 
      1,685,521,457         2,651,750,089  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    399,765       5,475,932       517,112       6,661,968  

Class C

    14,131       191,525       27,587       351,123  

Class R

    1,589       21,221       2,650       33,322  

Class R4

    12,039       160,382       24,725       310,703  

Class R6

    3,578,858       47,809,034       4,654,160       58,457,025  

Administrator Class

    324,731       4,342,589       528,027       6,640,587  

Institutional Class

    3,940,416       52,636,436       4,468,964       56,130,059  
 

 

 

 
      110,637,119         128,584,787  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (7,058,184     (96,112,855     (8,462,820     (108,862,680

Class C

    (1,381,669     (18,673,889     (1,664,172     (21,223,278

Class R

    (519,677     (6,891,248     (508,524     (6,425,841

Class R4

    (700,264     (9,317,864     (354,232     (4,433,486

Class R6

    (60,509,001     (803,022,923     (53,758,496     (673,745,873

Administrator Class

    (5,797,513     (77,110,768     (13,129,627     (165,688,347

Institutional Class

    (81,653,483     (1,088,476,808     (150,751,229     (1,886,370,187
 

 

 

 
      (2,099,606,355       (2,866,749,692
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (303,447,779       (86,414,816
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      45,861,810         78,661,926  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      5,418,816,012         5,340,154,086  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 5,464,677,822       $ 5,418,816,012  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.28       $12.86       $13.22       $13.28       $13.16  

Net investment income

    0.25       0.32       0.24       0.19 1      0.19 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.93       0.42       (0.36     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.18       0.74       (0.12     0.19       0.31  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.26     (0.32     (0.24     (0.19     (0.19

Net realized gains

    (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.29     (0.32     (0.24     (0.25     (0.19

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.17       $13.28       $12.86       $13.22       $13.28  

Total return2

    9.03     5.87     (0.96 )%      1.48     2.36

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    0.82     0.83     0.83     0.83     0.83

Net expenses3

    0.78     0.78     0.78     0.78     0.78

Net investment income3

    1.85     2.50     1.79     1.40     1.43

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $299,642       $302,246       $320,208       $360,276       $699,273  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.15       $12.74       $13.09       $13.15       $13.03  

Net investment income

    0.15       0.23       0.14       0.09       0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.92       0.40       (0.35     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.07       0.63       (0.21     0.09       0.21  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.16     (0.22     (0.14     (0.09     (0.09

Net realized gains

    (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.19     (0.22     (0.14     (0.15     (0.09

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.03       $13.15       $12.74       $13.09       $13.15  

Total return1

    8.22     5.04     (1.65 )%      0.72     1.61

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.57     1.58     1.58     1.58     1.58

Net expenses2

    1.53     1.53     1.53     1.53     1.53

Net investment income2

    1.11     1.75     1.04     0.68     0.68

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $27,971       $34,494       $47,843       $59,049       $66,612  

 

 

 

1 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.96       $12.55       $12.90       $12.97       $12.85  

Net investment income

    0.22 1      0.28 1      0.20 1      0.15 1      0.15 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.90       0.41       (0.35     (0.01     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.12       0.69       (0.15     0.14       0.27  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.22     (0.28     (0.20     (0.15     (0.15

Net realized gains

    (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.25     (0.28     (0.20     (0.21     (0.15

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.83       $12.96       $12.55       $12.90       $12.97  

Total return

    8.80     5.61     (1.19 )%      1.15     2.13

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.05     1.07     1.08     1.08     1.08

Net expenses2

    1.02     1.03     1.03     1.03     1.03

Net investment income2

    1.66     2.25     1.54     1.18     1.18

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $3,241       $8,565       $12,230       $13,826       $17,985  

 

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R4   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.95       $12.55       $12.89       $12.95       $12.83  

Net investment income

    0.29 1      0.35       0.26 1      0.22       0.22  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.91       0.40       (0.34     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.20       0.75       (0.08     0.22       0.34  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.29     (0.35     (0.26     (0.22     (0.22

Net realized gains

    (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.32     (0.35     (0.26     (0.28     (0.22

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.83       $12.95       $12.55       $12.89       $12.95  

Total return

    9.34     6.07     (0.61 )%      1.74     2.65

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    0.59     0.60     0.60     0.60     0.60

Net expenses2

    0.52     0.52     0.52     0.52     0.52

Net investment income2

    2.19     2.76     2.01     1.70     1.69

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $4,549       $10,805       $11,680       $43,205       $41,272  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shared outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.95       $12.54       $12.89       $12.95       $12.83  

Net investment income

    0.30       0.37       0.28       0.24       0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.91       0.41       (0.35     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.21       0.78       (0.07     0.24       0.36  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.31     (0.37     (0.28     (0.24     (0.24

Net realized gains

    (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.34     (0.37     (0.28     (0.30     (0.24

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.82       $12.95       $12.54       $12.89       $12.95  

Total return

    9.42     6.31     (0.54 )%      1.90     2.81

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses1

    0.44     0.45     0.45     0.45     0.45

Net expenses1

    0.37     0.37     0.37     0.37     0.37

Net investment income1

    2.26     2.92     2.24     1.87     1.84

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate2

    603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,545,332       $2,513,644       $1,360,847       $797,896       $450,791  

 

 

 

1 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

2 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.96       $12.56       $12.90       $12.97       $12.85  

Net investment income

    0.26       0.33 1      0.24 1      0.21       0.19  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.90       0.40       (0.34     (0.02     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.16       0.73       (0.10     0.19       0.31  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.26     (0.33     (0.24     (0.20     (0.19

Net realized gains

    (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.29     (0.33     (0.24     (0.26     (0.19

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.83       $12.96       $12.56       $12.90       $12.97  

Total return

    9.14     5.87     (0.79 )%      1.48     2.47

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    0.76     0.76     0.77     0.77     0.77

Net expenses2

    0.70     0.70     0.70     0.70     0.70

Net investment income2

    1.92     2.58     1.86     1.50     1.51

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $218,522       $205,825       $269,057       $373,042       $529,530  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shared outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.94       $12.54       $12.88       $12.95       $12.83  

Net investment income

    0.29       0.36       0.28       0.23       0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.92       0.40       (0.34     (0.01     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.21       0.76       (0.06     0.22       0.35  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.30     (0.36     (0.28     (0.23     (0.23

Net realized gains

    (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.33     (0.36     (0.28     (0.29     (0.23

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.82       $12.94       $12.54       $12.88       $12.95  

Total return

    9.45     6.18     (0.51 )%      1.77     2.76

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses1

    0.49     0.50     0.50     0.50     0.50

Net expenses1

    0.42     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.42

Net investment income1

    2.21     2.86     2.16     1.82     1.79

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate2

    603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,365,421       $2,343,238       $3,318,290       $3,166,348       $2,102,073  

 

 

 

1 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

2 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 95% of Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions from net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


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Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $5,292,759,425 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 173,913,308  

Gross unrealized losses

     (2,102,557

Net unrealized gains

   $ 171,810,751  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation    $5,464,570,176

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee

First $5 billion

   0.05%

Next $5 billion

   0.04

Over $10 billion

   0.03

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C, Class R

     0.16

Class R4, Institutional Class

     0.08  

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class

     0.10  

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  23


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Notes to financial statements

 

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.78% for Class A shares, 1.53% for Class C shares, 1.03% for Class R shares, 0.52% for Class R4 shares, 0.37% for Class R6 shares, 0.70% for Administrator shares, and 0.42% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fees

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C and Class R shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Distribution fees are charged to Class C and Class R shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $6,639 from the sale of Class A shares. Funds Distributor did not receive any front-end or contingent deferred sales charges from Class A or Class C shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Class R, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Class R4 is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds

U.S.

government

     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$30,266,635,350      $4,721,160,764      $30,561,071,517      $4,372,505,023

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid was $134,482,005 and $149,561,391 of ordinary income for the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary income

  

Unrealized

gains

$162,497,605    $171,810,751

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  25


Table of Contents

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities: 44.32%  

FHLMC (1 Month LIBOR +0.35%) ±

    0.53     12-15-2048      $ 1,725,364      $ 1,722,933  

FHLMC

    1.75       5-15-2043        3,736,211        3,840,690  

FHLMC

    2.50       5-1-2031        476,664        502,883  

FHLMC

    2.50       3-1-2050        2,681,133        2,828,779  

FHLMC (1 Month LIBOR +0.35%) ±

    2.85       10-15-2037        5,385,399        5,359,619  

FHLMC

    3.00       10-15-2047        16,608,664        17,585,984  

FHLMC

    3.00       12-1-2049        1,149,663        1,237,732  

FHLMC

    3.00       12-1-2049        990,149        1,065,996  

FHLMC

    3.00       2-1-2050        1,008,354        1,079,165  

FHLMC

    3.00       2-1-2050        7,552,351        8,105,587  

FHLMC

    3.00       5-15-2050        7,174,261        7,674,031  

FHLMC

    3.50       2-1-2048        3,004,111        3,282,419  

FHLMC

    3.50       3-1-2048        5,528        6,014  

FHLMC

    3.50       4-1-2049        6,128,491        6,694,056  

FHLMC

    3.50       8-1-2049        5,580,317        6,095,339  

FHLMC

    3.50       11-1-2049        18,994,574        20,093,692  

FHLMC

    3.50       1-1-2050        426,809        464,476  

FHLMC

    4.00       1-1-2035        198,395        218,860  

FHLMC

    4.00       1-1-2036        276,930        299,752  

FHLMC

    4.00       10-1-2036        1,984,819        2,145,947  

FHLMC

    4.00       3-1-2037        238,556        260,748  

FHLMC

    4.00       3-1-2037        274,719        302,942  

FHLMC

    4.00       3-1-2037        450,969        488,006  

FHLMC

    4.00       4-1-2037        2,026,680        2,193,124  

FHLMC

    4.00       4-1-2037        2,442,367        2,669,438  

FHLMC

    4.00       8-1-2038        17,835,474        19,159,931  

FHLMC

    4.00       4-1-2047        19,925,493        21,879,687  

FHLMC

    4.00       1-1-2048        1,687,783        1,886,631  

FHLMC

    4.00       6-1-2048        3,115,758        3,379,252  

FHLMC

    4.00       7-1-2048        17,831,604        19,583,598  

FHLMC

    4.00       9-1-2048        1,892,718        2,076,929  

FHLMC

    4.00       11-1-2048        14,784,404        16,227,620  

FHLMC

    4.00       1-1-2049        8,274,826        9,032,493  

FHLMC

    4.00       2-1-2049        7,867,435        8,595,596  

FHLMC

    4.00       2-1-2049        3,833,754        4,207,484  

FHLMC

    4.00       3-1-2049        4,270,360        4,733,748  

FHLMC

    4.00       7-1-2049        17,266,599        19,206,457  

FHLMC

    4.00       7-1-2049        59,868,788        65,694,215  

FHLMC

    4.00       9-1-2049        751,400        824,507  

FHLMC

    4.00       11-1-2049        9,519,063        10,644,217  

FHLMC

    4.50       6-1-2039        223,328        257,082  

FHLMC

    4.50       7-1-2039        270,074        314,901  

FHLMC

    4.50       11-1-2048        8,267,862        9,315,742  

FHLMC

    4.50       3-1-2049        3,159,894        3,556,108  

FHLMC

    4.50       4-1-2049        32,457,272        35,704,957  

FHLMC

    4.50       8-1-2049        28,479,485        31,681,425  

FHLMC

    5.00       5-1-2048        9,807,911        11,216,908  

FHLMC

    5.00       9-1-2048        6,719,709        7,387,630  

FHLMC

    5.00       3-1-2049        19,405,516        21,879,080  

FHLMC

    6.50       4-1-2021        98        99  

FHLMC Series 1897 Class K

    7.00       9-15-2026        342        381  

FHLMC Series 264 Class 30

    3.00       7-15-2042        14,538,028        15,708,242  

FHLMC Series 4426 Class QC

    1.75       7-15-2037        6,124,342        6,313,300  

FHLMC Series 4705 Class A

    4.50       9-15-2042        4,481,331        4,649,925  

FHLMC Series 4763 Class CA

    3.00       9-15-2038        1,571,759        1,690,216  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities (continued)  

FHLMC Series 4767 Class KA

    3.00 %       3-15-2048      $ 4,033,350      $ 4,357,037  

FHLMC Series 4786 Class DP

    4.50       7-15-2042        2,459,348        2,492,142  

FNMA

    1.50       1-25-2043        11,650,017        11,867,964  

FNMA

    1.50       1-25-2043        4,812,442        4,952,864  

FNMA

    1.50       4-25-2043        1,478,884        1,506,069  

FNMA

    1.70       8-25-2033        14,984,477        15,497,731  

FNMA

    1.75       5-25-2043        5,233,731        5,424,422  

FNMA

    1.75       6-25-2046        27,802,970        28,648,972  

FNMA %%

    2.00       6-17-2035        21,600,000        22,285,125  

FNMA %%

    2.00       7-16-2035        37,800,000        38,936,901  

FNMA

    2.00       6-25-2038        19,780,464        20,434,986  

FNMA

    2.50       11-1-2028        1,791,637        1,879,537  

FNMA

    2.50       1-1-2030        1,358,293        1,424,994  

FNMA

    2.50       4-1-2030        839,452        880,691  

FNMA

    2.50       8-1-2031        4,289,066        4,495,782  

FNMA %%

    2.50       7-16-2035        2,900,000        3,030,043  

FNMA

    2.50       11-25-2044        3,438,333        3,654,135  

FNMA

    2.50       5-1-2050        39,408,087        40,870,906  

FNMA %%

    2.50       6-11-2050        158,300,000        164,211,516  

FNMA %%

    2.50       7-14-2050        104,700,000        108,363,720  

FNMA %%

    2.50       8-13-2050        150,900,000        155,901,410  

FNMA (12 Month LIBOR +1.59%) ±

    2.66       1-1-2046        16,448,923        17,002,407  

FNMA (12 Month LIBOR +1.58%) ±

    2.75       6-1-2045        4,553,751        4,718,513  

FNMA

    3.00       12-1-2034        6,006,988        6,374,188  

FNMA

    3.00       3-1-2035        27,751        29,694  

FNMA

    3.00       1-1-2043        7,468,723        7,961,961  

FNMA

    3.00       11-25-2043        3,820,757        3,950,307  

FNMA

    3.00       5-25-2048        9,287,506        9,914,738  

FNMA

    3.00       7-25-2049        6,900,175        7,386,221  

FNMA

    3.00       7-25-2049        4,937,760        5,188,888  

FNMA

    3.00       2-1-2050        854,404        914,284  

FNMA %%

    3.00       7-14-2050        42,300,000        44,397,948  

FNMA

    3.50       6-1-2049        2,287,296        2,432,638  

FNMA

    3.50       11-1-2049        21,007,088        22,222,660  

FNMA

    3.50       3-1-2050        230,149        253,641  

FNMA

    4.00       7-1-2033        2,573,181        2,738,840  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2033        4,351,370        4,622,494  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2036        322,278        348,520  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2037        2,371,949        2,561,666  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2038        792,981        849,699  

FNMA

    4.00       2-1-2042        3,310,091        3,658,510  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2045        1,200,018        1,361,848  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2046        7,991,365        9,067,702  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2046        623,359        676,184  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2046        843,596        915,212  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2047        5,803,959        6,261,009  

FNMA

    4.00       2-1-2047        6,047,323        6,765,356  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2047        720,520        817,233  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2047        779,865        836,365  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2047        939,201        1,028,767  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2047        3,135,899        3,389,291  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2047        719,365        815,933  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2047        729,254        820,505  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2047        2,450,875        2,649,289  

FNMA

    4.00       11-1-2047        23,649,342        25,265,226  

FNMA

    4.00       11-1-2047        381,894        412,472  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities (continued)  

FNMA

    4.00 %       11-1-2047      $ 785,291      $ 849,102  

FNMA

    4.00       2-1-2048        4,110,149        4,594,396  

FNMA

    4.00       3-1-2048        19,206,111        21,763,846  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2048        15,307,331        17,032,384  

FNMA

    4.00       6-1-2048        9,526,476        10,712,574  

FNMA

    4.00       7-1-2048        28,039,944        30,598,402  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2048        7,755,203        8,594,251  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2048        6,671,352        7,306,925  

FNMA

    4.00       11-1-2048        6,721,738        7,448,953  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2048        4,108,952        4,656,217  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2049        7,959,453        8,823,265  

FNMA

    4.00       2-1-2049        7,611,101        8,524,032  

FNMA

    4.00       3-1-2049        3,081,920        3,346,692  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2049        4,182,963        4,546,549  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2049        340,755        381,514  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        479,766        521,044  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        421,833        460,410  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        3,943,748        4,274,634  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        4,343,637        4,884,591  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        13,669,868        15,447,272  

FNMA

    4.00       6-1-2049        4,208,082        4,577,266  

FNMA

    4.00       6-1-2049        2,157,702        2,332,479  

FNMA

    4.00       7-1-2049        614,948        682,558  

FNMA

    4.00       7-1-2049        219,034        240,412  

FNMA

    4.00       11-1-2049        5,417,379        6,057,706  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2049        1,320,419        1,463,735  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2049        7,642,605        8,663,726  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2049        5,750,788        6,466,997  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2049        4,859,774        5,434,108  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2050        10,738,852        11,904,349  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2050        56,685,150        61,638,703  

FNMA

    4.00       3-1-2050        22,018,244        24,507,491  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2050        7,110,879        8,060,980  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2059        22,828,814        25,386,200  

FNMA

    4.50       5-1-2034        1,446,477        1,600,004  

FNMA

    4.50       6-1-2041        299,206        336,355  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2043        3,284,555        3,691,005  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2044        1,049,129        1,179,115  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2045        5,131,691        5,767,534  

FNMA

    4.50       2-1-2046        134,255        150,469  

FNMA

    4.50       2-1-2048        6,215,655        6,895,911  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2048        1,989,602        2,203,115  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2048        3,882,460        4,296,352  

FNMA

    4.50       5-1-2048        2,541,936        2,814,738  

FNMA

    4.50       6-1-2048        2,137,348        2,469,740  

FNMA

    4.50       7-1-2048        6,293,885        7,010,605  

FNMA

    4.50       8-1-2048        11,930,354        13,507,277  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2048        2,678,147        2,964,817  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2048        10,662,978        11,994,872  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2048        16,346,719        18,334,049  

FNMA

    4.50       11-1-2048        3,123,995        3,602,237  

FNMA

    4.50       1-1-2049        19,035,523        21,501,376  

FNMA

    4.50       2-1-2049        10,929,725        12,370,377  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2049        3,999,250        4,435,762  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2049        3,498,216        3,871,606  

FNMA

    4.50       5-1-2049        1,609,356        1,781,131  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities (continued)  

FNMA

    4.50 %       6-1-2049      $ 8,164,880      $ 9,241,140  

FNMA

    4.50       7-1-2049        7,878,683        8,917,244  

FNMA

    4.50       7-1-2049        12,396,984        13,959,976  

FNMA

    4.50       8-1-2049        7,448,380        8,430,192  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2050        7,944,797        8,992,056  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2050        14,208,160        15,999,435  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2050        2,603,994        2,970,093  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2050        4,161,754        4,807,214  

FNMA

    4.50       1-1-2059        12,351,315        13,946,505  

FNMA

    5.00       7-1-2044        574,131        638,936  

FNMA

    5.00       6-1-2048        13,806,630        15,917,491  

FNMA

    5.00       9-1-2048        2,789,792        3,109,495  

FNMA

    5.00       9-1-2048        921,225        1,022,970  

FNMA

    5.00       10-1-2048        144,977        165,379  

FNMA

    5.00       10-1-2048        7,194,318        8,294,299  

FNMA

    5.00       11-1-2048        4,766,013        5,237,947  

FNMA

    5.00       12-1-2048        6,771,884        7,526,468  

FNMA

    5.00       1-1-2049        10,249,062        11,423,661  

FNMA

    5.00       2-1-2049        26,547,280        30,606,245  

FNMA

    5.00       6-1-2049        41,280,244        46,892,540  

FNMA

    5.00       8-1-2049        48,944,310        56,428,179  

FNMA

    5.00       8-1-2049        26,698,217        30,521,978  

FNMA

    5.00       11-1-2049        8,944,618        9,970,714  

FNMA

    5.50       12-1-2048        6,609,737        7,530,737  

FNMA

    5.50       6-1-2049        16,730,598        19,443,677  

FNMA

    6.00       4-1-2022        2,406        2,672  

FNMA

    6.00       2-1-2029        3,548        3,971  

FNMA

    6.00       3-1-2033        31,407        36,136  

FNMA

    6.00       11-1-2033        11,136        12,835  

FNMA Series 2005-31 Class PB

    5.50       4-25-2035        250,000        286,755  

FNMA Series 2017-13 Class PA

    3.00       8-25-2046        4,920,046        5,264,498  

FNMA Series 2017-M7 Class A2 ±±

    2.96       2-25-2027        2,108,000        2,324,139  

FNMA Series 2018-14 Class KC

    3.00       3-25-2048        4,966,263        5,302,947  

FNMA Series 2018-15 Class AB

    3.00       3-25-2048        1,745,508        1,874,942  

FNMA Series 2018-8 Class KL

    2.50       3-25-2047        6,661,987        6,960,981  

FNMA Series 414 Class A35

    3.50       10-25-2042        12,487,364        14,019,711  

GNMA %%

    2.00       7-21-2050        10,400,000        10,734,750  

GNMA %%

    2.50       6-22-2050        19,400,000        20,409,406  

GNMA

    3.00       2-20-2050        6,724,606        7,164,996  

GNMA

    3.00       2-20-2050        15,257,331        16,180,643  

GNMA

    3.00       3-20-2050        4,616,952        4,929,065  

GNMA %%

    3.00       6-22-2050        9,000,000        9,525,938  

GNMA

    3.50       1-20-2048        5,778,471        6,244,719  

GNMA

    3.50       3-20-2049        5,611,580        5,923,699  

GNMA

    3.50       8-20-2049        8,685,833        9,400,441  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2047        24,644,221        26,565,735  

GNMA

    4.00       6-20-2047        60,400,955        65,057,360  

GNMA

    4.00       10-20-2047        1,670,172        1,818,375  

GNMA

    4.00       1-20-2048        2,982,260        3,208,476  

GNMA

    4.00       3-20-2048        1,704,904        1,848,937  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2048        2,831,280        3,070,608  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2048        2,479,588        2,716,560  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2048        1,742,729        1,917,300  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2048        6,772,022        7,252,143  

GNMA

    4.00       5-20-2048        19,334,176        20,720,807  

GNMA

    4.00       5-20-2049        3,095,166        3,374,710  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities (continued)  

GNMA

    4.00 %       6-20-2049      $ 10,522,012      $ 11,473,973  

GNMA

    4.00       7-20-2049        7,637,270        8,331,616  

GNMA

    4.50       8-15-2047        1,532,075        1,694,179  

GNMA

    4.50       6-20-2048        8,861,630        9,613,674  

GNMA

    4.50       2-20-2049        9,857,778        11,031,691  

GNMA

    4.50       3-20-2049        5,712,482        6,298,304  

GNMA

    4.50       3-20-2049        1,405,321        1,548,956  

GNMA

    4.50       4-20-2049        2,762,915        3,043,665  

GNMA

    4.50       5-20-2049        2,711,787        2,989,294  

GNMA

    4.50       5-20-2049        2,507,186        2,765,100  

GNMA

    4.50       5-20-2049        1,846,988        2,036,668  

GNMA

    5.00       12-20-2039        189,430        217,701  

GNMA

    5.00       11-20-2045        347,030        392,776  

GNMA

    5.00       3-20-2048        17,664,182        19,347,659  

GNMA

    5.00       5-20-2048        8,932,576        9,770,855  

GNMA

    5.00       6-20-2048        29,213,785        31,935,246  

GNMA

    5.00       8-20-2048        10,093,508        11,022,797  

GNMA

    5.00       12-20-2048        10,933,491        11,897,275  

GNMA

    5.00       1-20-2049        2,186,892        2,377,648  

GNMA

    5.00       1-20-2049        7,106,357        8,079,990  

GNMA

    5.00       2-20-2049        2,102,158        2,335,858  

GNMA

    5.00       3-20-2049        2,512,962        2,792,320  

GNMA Series 2012-141 Class WA ±±

    4.53       11-16-2041        1,456,869        1,682,920  

GNMA Series 2017-167 Class BQ

    2.50       8-20-2044        7,102,200        7,347,822  

GNMA Series 2019-132 Class NA

    3.50       9-20-2049        9,443,664        10,020,607  

Total Agency Securities (Cost $2,484,022,240)

 

     2,553,913,359  
         

 

 

 
Asset-Backed Securities: 8.34%  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding LLC Series 2017-1A Class A 144A

    3.07       9-20-2023        1,620,000        1,602,072  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding LLC Serries 2019-3A Class A1 144A

    2.36       3-20-2026        3,825,000        3,656,648  

CNH Equipment Trust Series 2020-A Class A3

    1.16       6-16-2025        4,629,000        4,637,256  

CNH Equipment Trust Series 2020-A Class A4

    1.51       4-15-2027        1,297,000        1,299,874  

College Avenue Student Loan Trust Series 2017-A Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +1.65%) 144A±

    1.82       11-26-2046        3,224,695        3,182,523  

College Avenue Student Loan Trust Series 2018-A Class A2 144A

    4.13       12-26-2047        2,310,492        2,492,962  

College Avenue Student Loan Trust Series 2019- A Class A2 144A

    3.28       12-28-2048        2,284,128        2,372,897  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2017-1 Class A 144A

    2.62       8-15-2028        3,865,000        3,920,840  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2017-2 Class A 144A

    2.36       3-15-2029        9,960,000        10,056,167  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2018-1 Class A 144A

    3.19       7-15-2031        17,004,000        17,804,441  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2018-2 Class A 144A

    3.47       1-15-2030        6,806,000        7,067,292  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2019-1 Class A 144A

    3.52       7-15-2030        11,868,000        12,468,611  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-1 Class A 144A

    2.04       8-15-2031        14,567,000        14,627,723  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-A Class A3

    1.04       8-15-2024        6,791,000        6,861,049  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-A Class A4

    1.35       7-15-2025        2,232,000        2,268,766  

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust Series 2020-2 Class A3

    1.49       12-16-2024        3,485,000        3,555,348  

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust Series 2020-2 Class A4

    1.74       8-18-2025        1,745,000        1,772,522  

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust Series 2020-2 Class A3

    0.82       7-15-2024        8,077,000        8,113,230  

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust Series 2020-2 Class A4

    1.09       10-15-2026        2,758,000        2,785,095  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2014-1 Class A3 (1 Month LIBOR +0.51%) ±

    0.68       6-25-2031        4,089,210        3,913,274  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2015-1 Class A2 (1 Month LIBOR +0.60%) ±

    0.77       4-25-2040        2,665,221        2,532,941  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2016-1A Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.70%) 144A±

    0.87       2-25-2070        1,671,969        1,568,676  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2016-3A Class A2 (1 Month LIBOR +0.85%) 144A±

    1.02 %       6-25-2065      $ 604,856      $ 604,821  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2016-AA Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +2.15%) 144A±

    2.33       12-15-2045        2,145,328        2,161,614  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-A Class A2 144A

    3.19       2-18-2042        2,233,000        2,253,887  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-BA Class A2A 144A

    3.61       12-15-2059        4,454,000        4,534,426  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-CA Class A2 144A

    3.52       6-16-2042        2,507,000        2,548,658  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-DA Class A2A 144A

    4.00       12-15-2059        10,280,000        10,751,384  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-EA Class A2 144A

    4.00       12-15-2059        6,822,000        7,007,738  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019 -D Class A2A 144A

    3.01       12-15-2059        10,199,000        10,349,480  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-A Class A2A 144A

    3.42       1-15-2043        11,743,000        12,061,676  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-BA Class A2A 144A

    3.39       12-15-2059        8,228,000        8,468,760  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-CA Class A2 144A

    3.13       2-15-2068        6,899,000        7,078,438  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-FA Class A2 144A

    2.60       8-15-2068        12,057,000        12,328,181  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-GA Class A 144A

    2.40       10-15-2068        10,732,284        10,878,151  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-A Class A2A 144A

    2.46       11-15-2068        5,505,000        5,477,014  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-A ClassA2B (1 Month LIBOR +0.90%) 144A±

    1.08       11-15-2068        4,776,000        4,473,939  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-BA ClassA2 144A

    2.12       1-15-2069        4,271,000        4,222,808  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-CA Class A2 144A

    2.15       11-15-2068        4,211,000        4,218,777  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2004-4 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.16%) ±

    1.15       1-25-2037        6,719,071        6,436,557  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2004-5 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.18%) ±

    1.17       10-27-2036        2,443,591        2,381,883  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-1 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.11%) ±

    1.10       10-25-2033        20,420,157        19,074,464  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-2 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.10%) ±

    1.30       3-23-2037        19,940,985        18,831,389  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-3 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.12%) ±

    1.32       12-24-2035        15,058,712        14,369,938  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-4 Class A4 (3 Month LIBOR +0.18%) ±

    1.38       3-22-2032        3,554,456        3,283,685  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2012-2A Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.80%) 144A±

    0.97       12-26-2033        2,495,572        2,447,411  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2013-1A Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.60%) 144A±

    0.77       6-25-2041        3,659,989        3,392,916  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2014-1A Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.57%) 144A±

    0.74       9-25-2041        1,891,212        1,803,526  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust Series 2020-1 Class A3

    2.03       2-15-2024        2,240,000        2,265,403  

Santander Revolving Auto Loan Trust Series 2019-A Class A 144A

    2.51       1-26-2032        12,015,000        11,899,877  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2003-1 Class A5C (3 Month LIBOR +0.75%) 144A±

    1.49       12-15-2032        3,318,848        3,022,314  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2007-2 Class A4 (3 Month LIBOR +0.06%) ±

    1.05       7-25-2022        9,535,833        8,913,332  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2008-1 Class A4A (3 Month LIBOR +1.60%) ±

    2.34       12-15-2032        3,420,643        3,365,571  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2010-1 Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.40%) ±

    0.57       3-25-2025        1,575,684        1,447,557  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2012-1 Class A3 (1 Month LIBOR +0.95%) ±

    1.12       9-25-2028        11,379,743        10,741,329  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2012-2 Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.70%) ±

    0.87       1-25-2029        9,864,040        9,085,759  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2012-6 Class A3 (1 Month LIBOR +0.75%) ±

    0.92       5-26-2026        2,560,344        2,349,267  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2015-A Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.00%) 144A±

    1.18       6-15-2027        2,207,376        2,190,742  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2015-B Class A2A 144A

    2.98       7-15-2027        404,638        409,233  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2015-C Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.40%) 144A±

    1.58       7-15-2027        1,197,410        1,199,127  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-A Class A2A 144A

    2.70       5-15-2031        6,736,081        6,766,481  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-A Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.50%) 144A±

    1.68 %       5-15-2031      $ 8,857,480      $ 8,742,481  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-B Class A2A 144A

    2.43       2-17-2032        3,250,750        3,296,064  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-B Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.45%) 144A±

    1.63       2-17-2032        8,951,894        8,899,811  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-C Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.10%) 144A±

    1.28       9-15-2034        3,486,864        3,434,231  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2017-A Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +0.90%) 144A±

    1.08       9-15-2034        2,634,682        2,574,125  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2017-B Class A2A 144A

    2.82       10-15-2035        3,055,513        3,128,450  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2018-C Class A2A 144A

    3.63       11-15-2035        4,055,000        4,215,572  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2019-A Class A2A 144A

    3.44       7-15-2036        16,387,000        16,983,751  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2016-A Class A2 144A

    2.76       12-26-2036        1,952,871        1,954,666  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2016-D Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.95%) 144A±

    1.12       1-25-2039        336,166        335,304  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2016-E Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.85%) 144A±

    1.02       7-25-2039        589,654        585,275  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-A Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.70%) 144A±

    0.87       3-26-2040        685,703        679,666  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-D Class A2 144A

    2.65       9-25-2040        500,310        511,156  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-E Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.50%) 144A±

    0.67       11-26-2040        447,451        444,275  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-E Class A2B 144A

    2.72       11-26-2040        2,473,000        2,503,290  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2018-A Class A2B 144A

    2.95       2-25-2042        3,098,000        3,130,643  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2018-B Class A2FX 144A

    3.34       8-25-2047        6,978,000        7,174,846  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2020-A Class A2 144A

    2.54       5-15-2046        10,245,000        10,513,638  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2020-C Class AFX 144A

    1.95       2-15-2046        9,693,000        9,693,000  

Structured Asset Securities Corporation Series 1998-2 Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.52%) ±

    0.69       2-25-2028        611        609  

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust Series 2020-B Class A3

    1.36       8-15-2024        5,355,000        5,431,453  

Verizon Owner Trust Seires 2019-C Class A1A

    1.94       4-22-2024        4,429,000        4,537,159  

Verizon Owner Trust Series 2020-A Class A1A

    1.85       7-22-2024        9,683,000        9,937,344  

Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust Series 2020-1 Class A3

    0.98       11-20-2024        5,831,000        5,854,101  

Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust Series 2020-1 Class A4

    1.26       8-20-2026        2,187,000        2,201,082  

Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost 481,198,756)

 

     480,419,712  
         

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds and Notes: 26.63%

 

Communication Services: 3.01%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.69%  

AT&T Incorporated

    2.30       6-1-2027        5,982,000        6,050,688  

AT&T Incorporated

    2.75       6-1-2031        5,983,000        6,024,269  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.00       2-15-2022        2,852,000        2,956,623  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.00       6-30-2022        4,570,000        4,741,363  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.40       5-15-2025        7,182,000        7,743,852  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.50       6-1-2041        1,995,000        2,008,480  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.60       2-17-2023        3,436,000        3,651,406  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.65       6-1-2051        1,893,000        1,907,442  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.85       6-1-2060        1,995,000        2,028,556  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.88       8-15-2021        2,749,000        2,851,897  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.90       3-11-2024        2,045,000        2,215,027  

AT&T Incorporated

    4.30       2-15-2030        4,298,000        4,883,649  

AT&T Incorporated

    4.50       3-9-2048        1,592,000        1,812,105  

AT&T Incorporated

    4.85       3-1-2039        1,812,000        2,122,787  

AT&T Incorporated

    5.15       2-15-2050        3,659,000        4,572,975  

AT&T Incorporated

    5.25       3-1-2037        1,072,000        1,309,608  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  33


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)  

AT&T Incorporated

    5.35 %       12-15-2043      $ 897,000      $ 1,087,334  

AT&T Incorporated

    5.38       10-15-2041        1,435,000        1,752,464  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    3.50       4-15-2025        8,067,000        8,638,708  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    3.75       4-15-2027        6,134,000        6,632,019  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    3.88       4-15-2030        4,000,000        4,336,320  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    3.00       3-22-2027        1,863,000        2,029,029  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    3.50       11-1-2024        4,330,000        4,765,907  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.02       12-3-2029        2,238,000        2,636,917  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.27       1-15-2036        798,000        961,485  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.40       11-1-2034        3,892,000        4,775,437  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.52       9-15-2048        2,425,000        3,159,080  
            97,655,427  
         

 

 

 
Entertainment: 0.39%  

The Walt Disney Company

    3.50       5-13-2040        2,269,000        2,482,556  

The Walt Disney Company

    3.60       1-13-2051        3,949,000        4,414,969  

The Walt Disney Company

    3.80       5-13-2060        1,418,000        1,611,712  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.20       5-19-2032        5,858,000        6,048,132  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.38       3-15-2043        543,000        517,754  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.60       1-15-2045        350,000        338,659  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.75       5-15-2025        3,076,000        3,384,196  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.95       1-15-2031        1,873,000        2,072,535  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    5.85       9-1-2043        1,297,000        1,404,309  
            22,274,822  
         

 

 

 
Media: 0.93%  

Charter Communications Operating LLC

    4.46       7-23-2022        1,776,000        1,891,364  

Charter Communications Operating LLC

    4.80       3-1-2050        1,502,000        1,672,523  

Comcast Corporation

    1.95       1-15-2031        6,977,000        6,986,152  

Comcast Corporation

    2.65       2-1-2030        2,698,000        2,875,928  

Comcast Corporation

    2.80       1-15-2051        3,039,000        2,990,235  

Comcast Corporation

    3.10       4-1-2025        3,797,000        4,149,790  

Comcast Corporation

    3.70       4-15-2024        3,591,000        3,970,950  

Comcast Corporation

    3.75       4-1-2040        4,545,000        5,208,702  

Comcast Corporation

    3.95       10-15-2025        3,247,000        3,719,725  

Comcast Corporation

    4.15       10-15-2028        4,655,000        5,506,734  

Comcast Corporation

    4.60       10-15-2038        4,545,000        5,641,758  

Discovery Communications LLC

    3.63       5-15-2030        4,159,000        4,393,945  

Discovery Communications LLC

    4.65       5-15-2050        2,770,000        2,944,651  

Time Warner Cable Incorporated

    6.55       5-1-2037        1,283,000        1,636,689  
            53,589,146  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 1.07%

 

Automobiles: 0.01%  

General Motors Company

    5.95       4-1-2049        513,000        526,953  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.01%  

Stanford University %%

    1.29       6-1-2027        761,000        764,843  
         

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.35%  

GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II Incorporated

    4.00       1-15-2030        1,531,000        1,335,798  

GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II Incorporated

    5.30       1-15-2029        1,881,000        1,805,760  

Marriott International Incorporated %%

    4.63       6-15-2030        4,659,000        4,767,760  

McDonald’s Corporation

    1.45       9-1-2025        3,711,000        3,783,316  

McDonald’s Corporation

    2.13       3-1-2030        529,000        535,179  

McDonald’s Corporation

    2.63       9-1-2029        1,100,000        1,147,040  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

34  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  

Starbucks Corporation

    1.30 %       5-7-2022      $ 2,355,000      $ 2,386,008  

Starbucks Corporation

    2.55       11-15-2030        2,025,000        2,068,404  

Starbucks Corporation

    3.35       3-12-2050        923,000        914,788  

Starbucks Corporation

    3.50       11-15-2050        1,425,000        1,453,801  
            20,197,854  
         

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.05%  

Dollar General Corporation

    3.50       4-3-2030        2,240,000        2,504,996  

Dollar General Corporation

    4.13       4-3-2050        426,000        506,559  
            3,011,555  
         

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 0.48%  

Advance Auto Parts Company 144A

    3.90       4-15-2030        5,088,000        5,196,608  

Autonation Incorporated

    4.75       6-1-2030        2,982,000        3,104,602  

Home Depot Incorporated

    2.50       4-15-2027        2,294,000        2,498,190  

Home Depot Incorporated

    2.70       4-15-2030        1,026,000        1,119,839  

Home Depot Incorporated

    2.95       6-15-2029        301,000        334,256  

Home Depot Incorporated

    3.13       12-15-2049        4,342,000        4,739,219  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

    4.00       4-15-2025        2,010,000        2,272,202  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

    5.00       4-15-2040        2,268,000        2,895,044  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

    5.13       4-15-2050        644,000        866,916  

O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated

    4.20       4-1-2030        3,814,000        4,303,989  
            27,330,865  
         

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.17%  

Nike Incorporated

    2.40       3-27-2025        2,741,000        2,940,338  

Nike Incorporated

    2.75       3-27-2027        1,830,000        2,000,922  

Nike Incorporated

    2.85       3-27-2030        1,804,000        2,004,535  

Nike Incorporated

    3.38       3-27-2050        2,241,000        2,590,936  
            9,536,731  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 1.79%

 

Beverages: 0.50%  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Company

    4.90       2-1-2046        543,000        629,656  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Incorporated

    4.60       4-15-2048        2,483,000        2,760,573  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Incorporated

    4.70       2-1-2036        3,368,000        3,840,150  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Incorporated

    4.15       1-23-2025        3,909,000        4,393,055  

Constellation Brands Incorporated

    3.20       2-15-2023        911,000        967,946  

Constellation Brands Incorporated

    3.70       12-6-2026        1,521,000        1,679,928  

Constellation Brands Incorporated

    3.75       5-1-2050        2,990,000        3,078,272  

Constellation Brands Incorporated

    4.40       11-15-2025        274,000        312,287  

Keurig Dr Pepper Incorporated

    3.80       5-1-2050        1,939,000        2,110,743  

PepsiCo Incorporated

    2.25       3-19-2025        2,578,000        2,754,061  

PepsiCo Incorporated

    2.63       3-19-2027        1,624,000        1,776,082  

The Coca Cola Company

    2.60       6-1-2050        4,622,000        4,549,863  
            28,852,616  
         

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 0.48%  

Costco Wholesale Corporation

    1.60       4-20-2030        11,193,000        11,279,862  

Costco Wholesale Corporation

    1.75       4-20-2032        2,888,000        2,905,222  

Sysco Corporation

    6.60       4-1-2050        982,000        1,268,001  

Walmart Incorporated

    3.05       7-8-2026        1,744,000        1,956,117  

Walmart Incorporated

    3.55       6-26-2025        3,857,000        4,355,569  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  35


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Food & Staples Retailing (continued)  

Walmart Incorporated

    3.70 %       6-26-2028      $ 4,862,000      $ 5,750,607  

Walmart Incorporated

    4.05       6-29-2048        43,000        55,217  
            27,570,595  
         

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.32%  

General Mills Incorporated

    2.88       4-15-2030        6,077,000        6,532,689  

Ingredion Incorporated

    2.90       6-1-2030        5,796,000        6,055,955  

Ingredion Incorporated

    3.90       6-1-2050        1,792,000        2,006,816  

Mondelez International Incorporated

    1.50       5-4-2025        3,923,000        4,000,334  
            18,595,794  
         

 

 

 
Household Products: 0.08%  

The Procter & Gamble Company

    2.80       3-25-2027        943,000        1,046,089  

The Procter & Gamble Company

    3.00       3-25-2030        1,212,000        1,388,806  

The Procter & Gamble Company

    3.55       3-25-2040        574,000        692,540  

The Procter & Gamble Company

    3.60       3-25-2050        962,000        1,207,812  
            4,335,247  
         

 

 

 
Tobacco: 0.41%  

Altria Group Incorporated

    2.35       5-6-2025        3,028,000        3,136,641  

Altria Group Incorporated

    3.40       5-6-2030        2,436,000        2,569,742  

Altria Group Incorporated

    4.45       5-6-2050        2,481,000        2,678,227  

BAT Capital Corporation

    3.22       9-6-2026        1,965,000        2,046,141  

BAT Capital Corporation

    3.56       8-15-2027        5,739,000        6,029,951  

BAT Capital Corporation

    4.39       8-15-2037        278,000        291,783  

BAT Capital Corporation

    4.70       4-2-2027        3,969,000        4,439,020  

Reynolds American Incorporated

    5.85       8-15-2045        2,028,000        2,432,360  
            23,623,865  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 2.05%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.05%  

BP Capital Markets America Incorporated

    3.19       4-6-2025        4,613,000        5,004,841  

BP Capital Markets America Incorporated

    3.54       4-6-2027        4,634,000        5,049,147  

Chevron Corporation

    1.14       5-11-2023        7,086,000        7,218,095  

Chevron Corporation

    1.55       5-11-2025        9,875,000        10,178,832  

Chevron Corporation

    2.00       5-11-2027        2,459,000        2,567,178  

Chevron Corporation

    2.24       5-11-2030        6,299,000        6,638,431  

Chevron Corporation

    3.08       5-11-2050        4,146,000        4,452,288  

Devon Energy Corporation

    5.00       6-15-2045        976,000        865,888  

Devon Energy Corporation

    5.60       7-15-2041        1,502,000        1,391,992  

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

    3.25       12-1-2026        4,728,000        4,591,315  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    6.05       6-1-2041        870,000        916,481  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    6.13       12-15-2045        730,000        762,146  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

    3.70       1-31-2051        1,735,000        1,745,344  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

    3.95       1-31-2060        1,916,000        1,916,056  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

    4.20       1-31-2050        704,000        755,877  

EOG Resources Incorporated

    4.38       4-15-2030        3,425,000        4,041,122  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

    1.57       4-15-2023        9,032,000        9,274,479  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

    2.99       3-19-2025        1,891,000        2,070,118  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

    3.45       4-15-2051        1,633,000        1,785,629  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP

    3.25       6-1-2030        3,805,000        3,949,138  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    3.63       9-15-2024        4,888,000        5,081,712  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    4.40       7-15-2027        3,654,000        3,342,800  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    4.50       5-1-2023        1,904,000        2,023,908  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

36  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    4.50 %       4-1-2048      $ 475,000      $ 451,219  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    4.70       5-1-2025        3,468,000        3,820,632  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    4.75       12-15-2023        1,489,000        1,606,890  

Noble Energy Incorporated

    3.85       1-15-2028        940,000        854,904  

Noble Energy Incorporated

    3.90       11-15-2024        2,173,000        2,147,927  

Noble Energy Incorporated

    4.20       10-15-2049        2,612,000        2,117,168  

Noble Energy Incorporated

    4.95       8-15-2047        2,332,000        1,992,536  

ONEOK Incorporated

    3.40       9-1-2029        380,000        351,252  

Plains All American Pipeline LP

    3.55       12-15-2029        3,760,000        3,551,257  

Plains All American Pipeline LP

    4.90       2-15-2045        807,000        736,169  

Sunoco Logistics Partner LP

    5.30       4-1-2044        1,251,000        1,234,331  

Sunoco Logistics Partner LP

    5.35       5-15-2045        238,000        232,404  

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company 144A

    2.90       3-1-2030        4,682,000        4,741,907  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company 144A

    3.25       5-15-2030        1,967,000        2,093,184  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company 144A

    3.95       5-15-2050        3,153,000        3,346,274  

Williams Companies Incorporated

    3.90       1-15-2025        1,319,000        1,410,851  

Williams Companies Incorporated

    5.40       3-4-2044        1,849,000        2,033,437  
            118,345,159  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 6.48%

 

Banks: 3.02%  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +0.87%) ±

    2.46       10-22-2025        11,297,000        11,755,800  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +2.15%) ±

    2.59       4-29-2031        1,935,000        1,988,875  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +0.79%) ±

    3.00       12-20-2023        9,845,000        10,287,144  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +1.09%) ±

    3.09       10-1-2025        7,035,000        7,495,867  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +1.04%) ±

    3.42       12-20-2028        12,681,000        13,797,327  

Bank of America Corporation

    4.13       1-22-2024        623,000        686,234  

Bank of America Corporation

    4.18       11-25-2027        5,258,000        5,898,222  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +1.31%) ±

    4.27       7-23-2029        9,347,000        10,756,288  

Citigroup Incorporated (U.S. SOFR +2.11%) ±%%

    2.57       6-3-2031        7,607,000        7,599,366  

Citigroup Incorporated (U.S. SOFR +1.42%) ±

    2.98       11-5-2030        5,292,000        5,501,784  

Citigroup Incorporated (U.S. SOFR +2.75%) ±

    3.11       4-8-2026        21,310,000        22,435,420  

Citigroup Incorporated

    3.20       10-21-2026        3,692,000        3,950,495  

Citigroup Incorporated (U.S. SOFR +3.91%) ±

    4.41       3-31-2031        11,882,000        13,684,922  

Inter-American Development Bank

    0.88       4-3-2025        7,328,000        7,450,861  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +1.46%) ±

    1.51       6-1-2024        19,010,000        19,143,588  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +1.89%) ±

    2.18       6-1-2028        5,700,000        5,735,569  

JPMorgan Chase & Company

    2.95       10-1-2026        552,000        595,101  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +2.52%) ±

    2.96       5-13-2031        7,888,000        8,120,665  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (3 Month LIBOR +0.70%) ±

    3.21       4-1-2023        6,057,000        6,292,355  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +3.79%) ±

    4.49       3-24-2031        2,251,000        2,673,484  

Santander Holdings USA %%

    3.45       6-2-2025        5,709,000        5,764,572  

Truist Bank

    2.25       3-11-2030        2,525,000        2,494,851  
            174,108,790  
         

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 1.42%  

Ameriprise Financial Services Incorporated

    3.00       4-2-2025        3,119,000        3,349,206  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated (3 Month LIBOR +1.20%) ±

    3.27       9-29-2025        911,000        964,204  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    3.50       4-1-2025        23,326,000        25,035,019  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    3.50       11-16-2026        7,531,000        8,119,564  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    3.85       1-26-2027        3,075,000        3,387,851  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    4.00       3-3-2024        803,000        879,564  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    6.75       10-1-2037        3,153,000        4,360,310  

Morgan Stanley

    2.75       5-19-2022        6,916,000        7,180,776  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  37


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    3.10 %       5-15-2026      $ 4,519,000      $ 4,816,358  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    3.40       6-1-2023        538,000        562,885  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    4.13       4-15-2030        4,835,000        5,458,717  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    5.00       3-15-2044        2,491,000        2,960,175  

State Street Corporation (U.S. SOFR +2.69%) 144A±

    2.83       3-30-2023        4,768,000        4,930,370  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

    3.25       5-22-2029        5,163,000        5,703,951  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

    4.63       3-22-2030        3,423,000        4,201,840  
            81,910,790  
         

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.90%  

Capital One Financial Company

    2.60       5-11-2023        13,251,000        13,606,740  

Capital One Financial Company

    3.65       5-11-2027        3,762,000        3,925,414  

Daimler Finance North America LLC 144A

    2.13       3-10-2025        5,271,000        5,088,838  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    2.90       2-26-2025        4,708,000        4,572,586  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    3.95       4-13-2024        471,000        472,700  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    4.35       4-9-2025        1,081,000        1,098,265  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    5.20       3-20-2023        6,170,000        6,423,138  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    5.40       4-1-2048        2,766,000        2,664,231  

John Deere Capital Corporation

    1.20       4-6-2023        4,373,000        4,429,343  

John Deere Capital Corporation

    1.75       3-9-2027        2,620,000        2,683,407  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

    1.35       8-25-2023        5,711,000        5,761,116  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

    2.15       2-13-2030        1,266,000        1,283,028  
            52,008,806  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.17%  

General Electric Capital International Funding Company 144A

    3.45       5-15-2025        7,961,000        8,090,327  

International Lease Finance Corporation

    5.88       8-15-2022        1,414,000        1,435,098  
            9,525,425  
         

 

 

 
Insurance: 0.97%  

American International Group Incorporated

    2.50       6-30-2025        11,255,000        11,642,000  

American International Group Incorporated

    3.40       6-30-2030        4,196,000        4,403,050  

American International Group Incorporated

    4.20       4-1-2028        2,784,000        3,093,634  

American International Group Incorporated

    4.50       7-16-2044        2,483,000        2,787,587  

American International Group Incorporated

    4.75       4-1-2048        3,849,000        4,461,803  

American International Group Incorporated

    5.25       4-2-2030        4,777,000        5,319,269  

Brighthouse Financial Incorporated

    4.70       6-22-2047        2,079,000        1,831,239  

Lincoln National Corporation

    3.05       1-15-2030        6,057,000        6,055,531  

Nationwide Financial Services Incorporated 144A

    3.90       11-30-2049        4,459,000        4,362,372  

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company 144A

    4.35       4-30-2050        2,498,000        2,538,557  

Prudential Financial Incorporated

    1.50       3-10-2026        7,070,000        7,128,722  

Prudential Financial Incorporated

    4.35       2-25-2050        1,920,000        2,192,128  
            55,815,892  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 4.03%

 

Biotechnology: 1.13%  

AbbVie Incorporated 144A

    2.30       11-21-2022        14,700,000        15,173,850  

AbbVie Incorporated 144A

    2.60       11-21-2024        6,503,000        6,830,356  

AbbVie Incorporated

    2.90       11-6-2022        5,026,000        5,263,791  

AbbVie Incorporated 144A

    2.95       11-21-2026        1,850,000        1,983,533  

AbbVie Incorporated 144A

    3.20       11-21-2029        5,616,000        6,017,306  

AbbVie Incorporated

    3.75       11-14-2023        502,000        545,828  

AbbVie Incorporated 144A

    3.80       3-15-2025        8,675,000        9,555,014  

AbbVie Incorporated 144A

    4.05       11-21-2039        2,156,000        2,419,278  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

38  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Biotechnology (continued)  

AbbVie Incorporated 144A

    4.25 %       11-21-2049      $ 3,562,000      $ 4,080,854  

Amgen Incorporated

    2.20       2-21-2027        2,944,000        3,068,708  

Amgen Incorporated

    2.30       2-25-2031        3,939,000        4,069,743  

Amgen Incorporated

    3.15       2-21-2040        2,037,000        2,126,474  

Amgen Incorporated

    3.38       2-21-2050        1,848,000        1,956,476  

Biogen Incorporated

    3.15       5-1-2050        2,418,000        2,341,265  
            65,432,476  
         

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 0.42%  

Abbott Laboratories

    3.75       11-30-2026        2,340,000        2,741,146  

Becton Dickinson & Company

    2.40       6-5-2020        6,048,000        6,047,407  

Danaher Corporation

    3.35       9-15-2025        1,860,000        2,046,852  

Dentsply Sirona Incorporated

    3.25       6-1-2030        3,022,000        3,093,438  

Stryker Corporation %%

    1.15       6-15-2025        3,977,000        3,973,025  

Stryker Corporation %%

    1.95       6-15-2030        3,616,000        3,597,816  

Stryker Corporation %%

    2.90       6-15-2050        2,786,000        2,796,876  
            24,296,560  
         

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 1.07%  

Aetna Incorporated

    3.88       8-15-2047        1,475,000        1,617,619  

Anthem Incorporated

    2.25       5-15-2030        4,902,000        5,032,635  

Anthem Incorporated

    3.13       5-15-2050        1,971,000        2,025,508  

Anthem Incorporated

    3.65       12-1-2027        2,542,000        2,876,179  

Cigna Corporation

    3.75       7-15-2023        3,385,000        3,682,978  

Cigna Corporation

    3.40       9-17-2021        4,089,000        4,231,027  

Cigna Corporation 144A

    3.40       3-1-2027        4,519,000        4,959,891  

Cigna Corporation

    3.40       3-15-2050        915,000        981,411  

Cigna Corporation 144A

    3.88       10-15-2047        3,943,000        4,464,385  

Cigna Corporation

    4.38       10-15-2028        935,000        1,097,308  

CVS Health Corporation

    3.00       8-15-2026        2,002,000        2,186,686  

CVS Health Corporation

    3.63       4-1-2027        2,869,000        3,148,936  

CVS Health Corporation

    3.70       3-9-2023        4,957,000        5,310,171  

CVS Health Corporation

    4.00       12-5-2023        2,706,000        2,949,466  

CVS Health Corporation

    4.78       3-25-2038        1,428,000        1,738,736  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    2.00       5-15-2030        2,979,000        3,067,535  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    2.38       8-15-2024        1,067,000        1,134,629  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    2.75       5-15-2040        2,372,000        2,465,052  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    2.90       5-15-2050        1,588,000        1,649,456  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.13       5-15-2060        988,000        1,039,906  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.50       8-15-2039        636,000        732,041  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.70       12-15-2025        2,002,000        2,279,395  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.75       10-15-2047        1,601,000        1,893,624  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.88       8-15-2059        1,016,000        1,221,729  
            61,786,303  
         

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 0.15%  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated

    4.50       3-25-2030        6,908,000        8,440,543  
         

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 1.26%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    2.60       5-16-2022        4,147,000        4,319,246  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    2.75       2-15-2023        6,469,000        6,795,231  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    2.88       2-19-2021        1,796,000        1,828,657  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    2.90       7-26-2024        6,246,000        6,742,884  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    3.20       6-15-2026        3,754,000        4,210,565  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    3.40       7-26-2029        1,480,000        1,692,378  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  39


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    3.45 %       11-15-2027      $ 2,680,000      $ 3,065,972  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    3.88       8-15-2025        2,062,000        2,343,040  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    3.90       2-20-2028        2,868,000        3,327,825  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    4.13       6-15-2039        462,000        584,866  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    4.25       10-26-2049        1,513,000        1,989,317  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 144A

    4.35       11-15-2047        893,000        1,154,282  

Eli Lilly and Company

    2.25       5-15-2050        2,813,000        2,647,003  

Merck & Company Incorporated

    3.70       2-10-2045        1,296,000        1,563,040  

Novartis Capital Corporation

    2.00       2-14-2027        3,462,000        3,658,024  

Novartis Capital Corporation

    2.20       8-14-2030        9,771,000        10,314,287  

Pfizer Incorporated

    1.70       5-28-2030        6,647,000        6,669,876  

Pfizer Incorporated

    2.55       5-28-2040        3,796,000        3,837,237  

Pfizer Incorporated

    2.70       5-28-2050        3,796,000        3,825,313  

Pfizer Incorporated

    2.80       3-11-2022        1,787,000        1,863,101  
            72,432,144  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 1.45%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.70%  

General Dynamics Corporation

    3.25       4-1-2025        2,320,000        2,569,149  

General Dynamics Corporation

    4.25       4-1-2040        776,000        962,552  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    2.55       10-15-2022        5,868,000        6,142,933  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    2.93       1-15-2025        265,000        287,192  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    3.25       8-1-2023        5,412,000        5,858,764  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    3.25       1-15-2028        3,351,000        3,713,654  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    4.03       10-15-2047        1,933,000        2,342,103  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    5.15       5-1-2040        2,895,000        3,892,081  

The Boeing Company

    2.70       2-1-2027        2,852,000        2,655,209  

The Boeing Company

    2.95       2-1-2030        3,031,000        2,886,942  

The Boeing Company

    5.81       5-1-2050        2,125,000        2,405,329  

United Technologies Corporation

    3.65       8-16-2023        373,000        404,878  

United Technologies Corporation

    3.95       8-16-2025        2,673,000        3,040,895  

United Technologies Corporation

    4.45       11-16-2038        2,486,000        2,994,692  
            40,156,373  
         

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.04%  

Otis Worldwide Corporation 144A

    2.57       2-15-2030        1,951,000        1,970,939  
         

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 0.16%  

General Electric Company

    3.10       1-9-2023        650,000        669,464  

General Electric Company

    3.45       5-1-2027        5,518,000        5,463,248  

General Electric Company

    3.63       5-1-2030        2,827,000        2,795,817  

General Electric Company

    5.88       1-14-2038        309,000        345,112  
            9,273,641  
         

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.11%  

Deere & Company

    2.75       4-15-2025        3,875,000        4,201,580  

Deere & Company

    3.75       4-15-2050        1,701,000        2,052,221  
            6,253,801  
         

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 0.38%  

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC

    3.05       2-15-2051        1,329,000        1,378,212  

CSX Corporation

    4.30       3-1-2048        238,000        289,570  

CSX Corporation

    2.40       2-15-2030        561,000        586,603  

CSX Corporation

    4.75       11-15-2048        1,292,000        1,658,036  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

40  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Road & Rail (continued)  

Union Pacific Corporation

    2.15 %       2-5-2027      $ 2,938,000      $ 3,082,984  

Union Pacific Corporation

    2.40       2-5-2030        3,634,000        3,795,158  

Union Pacific Corporation

    2.95       3-1-2022        3,290,000        3,425,518  

Union Pacific Corporation

    3.15       3-1-2024        1,579,000        1,706,702  

Union Pacific Corporation

    3.25       2-5-2050        4,665,000        4,934,775  

Union Pacific Corporation

    3.75       2-5-2070        592,000        645,715  

Union Pacific Corporation

    4.30       3-1-2049        489,000        614,758  
            22,118,031  
         

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure: 0.06%  

Crowley Conro LLC

    4.18       8-15-2043        2,789,920        3,510,825  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 2.41%

 

IT Services: 0.44%  

Fiserv Incorporated

    3.20       7-1-2026        3,187,000        3,467,505  

Fiserv Incorporated

    3.50       7-1-2029        3,418,000        3,772,067  

Fiserv Incorporated

    4.20       10-1-2028        318,000        368,536  

IBM Corporation

    3.30       5-15-2026        1,095,000        1,226,394  

IBM Corporation

    4.15       5-15-2039        1,364,000        1,622,190  

Mastercard Incorporated

    3.30       3-26-2027        1,899,000        2,153,370  

Mastercard Incorporated

    3.85       3-26-2050        330,000        418,346  

Paypal Holdings Incorporated

    1.35       6-1-2023        5,137,000        5,218,425  

Paypal Holdings Incorporated

    1.65       6-1-2025        7,193,000        7,367,224  
            25,614,057  
         

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 1.17%  

Broadcom Incorporated 144A

    3.15       11-15-2025        10,424,000        10,803,250  

Broadcom Incorporated

    3.88       1-15-2027        4,502,000        4,736,805  

Broadcom Incorporated 144A

    4.15       11-15-2030        8,867,000        9,216,886  

Broadcom Incorporated 144A

    4.25       4-15-2026        3,187,000        3,412,357  

Broadcom Incorporated 144A

    4.70       4-15-2025        4,663,000        5,110,210  

Broadcom Incorporated 144A

    5.00       4-15-2030        2,476,000        2,733,350  

Intel Corporation

    2.45       11-15-2029        2,184,000        2,340,406  

Intel Corporation

    4.60       3-25-2040        1,890,000        2,455,312  

KLA Corporation

    3.30       3-1-2050        2,522,000        2,534,880  

Lam Research Corporation

    1.90       6-15-2030        3,385,000        3,404,367  

Lam Research Corporation

    2.88       6-15-2050        3,334,000        3,376,067  

Lam Research Corporation

    3.13       6-15-2060        1,375,000        1,426,282  

Micron Technology Incorporated

    2.50       4-24-2023        5,867,000        6,006,800  

NVIDIA Corporation

    3.50       4-1-2040        1,916,000        2,194,115  

NVIDIA Corporation

    3.50       4-1-2050        4,777,000        5,423,749  

Texas Instruments Incorporated

    1.38       3-12-2025        2,353,000        2,419,113  
            67,593,949  
         

 

 

 
Software: 0.57%  

Adobe Incorporated

    2.30       2-1-2030        6,598,000        7,042,818  

Microsoft Corporation

    2.53       6-1-2050        1,109,000        1,106,892  

Microsoft Corporation

    2.68       6-1-2060        2,388,000        2,310,853  

Microsoft Corporation

    2.88       2-6-2024        1,134,000        1,228,637  

Microsoft Corporation

    4.10       2-6-2037        1,872,000        2,379,532  

Oracle Corporation

    2.63       2-15-2023        2,457,000        2,590,241  

Oracle Corporation

    2.80       4-1-2027        5,670,000        6,148,054  

Oracle Corporation

    2.95       11-15-2024        1,319,000        1,435,872  

Oracle Corporation

    3.80       11-15-2037        1,346,000        1,531,093  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  41


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Software (continued)  

Oracle Corporation

    3.85 %       4-1-2060      $ 3,136,000      $ 3,582,490  

Oracle Corporation

    4.00       11-15-2047        2,861,000        3,360,586  
            32,717,068  
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 0.23%  

Apple Incorporated

    2.05       9-11-2026        5,954,000        6,358,793  

Apple Incorporated

    2.65       5-11-2050        2,632,000        2,699,746  

Apple Incorporated

    2.95       9-11-2049        381,000        411,574  

Apple Incorporated

    3.20       5-13-2025        1,357,000        1,524,725  

Apple Incorporated

    4.25       2-9-2047        1,624,000        2,114,625  
            13,109,463  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.76%

 

Chemicals: 0.21%  

Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated

    2.70       5-15-2040        951,000        985,854  

DuPont de Nemours Incorporated

    4.21       11-15-2023        4,914,000        5,343,632  

DuPont de Nemours Incorporated

    4.49       11-15-2025        3,497,000        3,967,383  

Mosaic Company

    5.45       11-15-2033        275,000        279,487  

Mosaic Company

    5.63       11-15-2043        1,332,000        1,360,779  
            11,937,135  
         

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.11%  

International Paper Company

    4.40       8-15-2047        1,863,000        2,078,697  

Packaging Corporation of America

    3.00       12-15-2029        1,615,000        1,696,511  

Westrock Company

    4.90       3-15-2029        2,113,000        2,431,506  
            6,206,714  
         

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.19%  

Barrick Gold Finance Company LLC

    5.70       5-30-2041        2,268,000        3,012,154  

Barrick North America Finance LLC

    5.75       5-1-2043        866,000        1,190,216  

Newmont MIning Corporation

    2.25       10-1-2030        2,973,000        2,941,601  

Nucor Corporation

    2.00       6-1-2025        1,987,000        2,022,629  

Nucor Corporation

    2.70       6-1-2030        1,987,000        2,020,404  
            11,187,004  
         

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.25%  

Georgia Pacific LLC 144A

    1.75       9-30-2025        6,269,000        6,403,028  

Georgia Pacific LLC 144A

    2.10       4-30-2027        3,025,000        3,077,950  

Georgia Pacific LLC 144A

    2.30       4-30-2030        4,968,000        5,074,911  
            14,555,889  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 0.99%

 

Equity REITs: 0.81%  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

    4.90       12-15-2030        1,899,000        2,304,719  

Crown Castle International Corporation

    3.30       7-1-2030        5,340,000        5,776,297  

Crown Castle International Corporation

    4.00       3-1-2027        924,000        1,033,254  

Equinix Incorporated

    2.63       11-18-2024        2,506,000        2,644,331  

Equinix Incorporated

    2.90       11-18-2026        5,223,000        5,514,809  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    3.60       6-1-2027        279,000        297,952  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    3.75       6-15-2024        4,347,000        4,476,554  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    3.95       3-15-2029        1,873,000        2,070,509  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    4.00       11-15-2025        2,277,000        2,366,456  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

42  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Equity REITs (continued)  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    4.30 %       10-15-2023      $ 1,907,000      $ 1,991,903  

Realty Income Corporation

    3.25       1-15-2031        4,248,000        4,341,695  

Regency Centers LP

    2.95       9-15-2029        4,046,000        3,885,160  

Regency Centers LP

    3.70       6-15-2030        1,390,000        1,430,074  

Store Capital Corporation

    4.50       3-15-2028        7,002,000        6,588,032  

Store Capital Corporation

    4.63       3-15-2029        2,381,000        2,214,531  
            46,936,276  
         

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.18%  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    3.95       1-15-2024        2,954,000        3,068,503  

Spirit Realty LP

    3.40       1-15-2030        2,242,000        1,925,961  

Spirit Realty LP

    4.00       7-15-2029        1,079,000        978,233  

Spirit Realty LP

    4.45       9-15-2026        229,000        219,235  

Ventas Realty LP

    4.75       11-15-2030        3,840,000        3,995,904  
            10,187,836  
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 2.59%

 

Electric Utilities: 1.65%  

Alabama Power Company

    3.45       10-1-2049        3,720,000        4,045,616  

Arizona Public Service Company

    3.15       5-15-2025        4,707,000        5,139,058  

Duke Energy Corporation

    1.80       9-1-2021        3,918,000        3,964,489  

Duke Energy Corporation

    2.45       6-1-2030        3,068,000        3,159,109  

Duke Energy Corporation

    2.65       9-1-2026        2,431,000        2,601,942  

Duke Energy Ohio Incorporated

    2.13       6-1-2030        2,846,000        2,924,312  

Edison International

    4.13       3-15-2028        13,000        13,505  

Evergy Incorporated

    2.45       9-15-2024        3,471,000        3,630,701  

Evergy Incorporated

    2.90       9-15-2029        3,445,000        3,591,935  

Evergy Kansas Central Incorporated

    3.45       4-15-2050        5,015,000        5,441,867  

Evergy Metro Incorporated

    2.25       6-1-2030        3,798,000        3,900,395  

Exelon Corporation

    4.70       4-15-2050        4,215,000        5,256,809  

Exelon Generation Company LLC

    3.25       6-1-2025        5,253,000        5,437,942  

FirstEnergy Corporation

    3.90       7-15-2027        3,471,000        3,893,457  

FirstEnergy Corporation

    2.85       7-15-2022        816,000        841,916  

FirstEnergy Corporation

    4.25       3-15-2023        4,725,000        5,102,332  

Interstate Power & Light Company

    3.50       9-30-2049        1,426,000        1,517,013  

ITC Holdings Corporation

    2.70       11-15-2022        3,746,000        3,890,167  

Metropolitan Edison Company 144A

    4.30       1-15-2029        2,938,000        3,423,282  

Mississippi Power Company

    3.95       3-30-2028        4,562,000        5,076,214  

Mississippi Power Company

    4.25       3-15-2042        2,741,000        2,999,917  

National Fuel Gas Company %%

    5.50       1-15-2026        993,000        1,012,944  

Pennsylvania Electric Compnay 144A

    3.25       3-15-2028        1,572,000        1,685,068  

Public Service Electric and Gas Company

    2.70       5-1-2050        4,126,000        4,122,359  

South Carolina Edison Company

    4.13       3-1-2048        3,033,000        3,423,733  

Southern California Edison Company

    2.85       8-1-2029        1,890,000        1,969,574  

Southern California Edison Company

    4.65       10-1-2043        893,000        1,039,348  

Southern California Gas Company

    2.55       2-1-2030        2,903,000        3,088,448  

Southern California Gas Company

    2.60       6-15-2026        1,065,000        1,142,229  

Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company 144A

    3.85       6-1-2025        1,306,000        1,449,183  
            94,784,864  
         

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities: 0.94%  

Ameren Corporation

    3.50       1-15-2031        890,000        988,822  

Black Hills Corporation

    3.05       10-15-2029        6,014,000        6,135,562  

Black Hills Corporation

    3.88       10-15-2049        1,675,000        1,680,749  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  43


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Multi-Utilities (continued)  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    2.50 %       9-1-2022      $ 377,000      $ 388,685  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    2.50       9-1-2024        4,055,000        4,207,504  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    2.95       3-1-2030        1,761,000        1,854,291  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    4.10       9-1-2047        1,813,000        1,923,657  

Consumers Energy Company

    2.50       5-1-2060        1,570,000        1,473,383  

Dominion Resources Incorporated

    2.00       8-15-2021        2,612,000        2,646,077  

Dominion Resources Incorporated

    2.85       8-15-2026        2,413,000        2,543,974  

DTE Energy Company

    2.53       10-1-2024        3,309,000        3,419,821  

DTE Energy Company

    2.95       3-1-2030        2,493,000        2,554,814  

DTE Energy Company

    2.95       3-1-2050        4,115,000        4,252,159  

DTE Energy Company

    3.80       3-15-2027        3,747,000        4,032,667  

Midamerican Energy Company

    3.65       8-1-2048        1,976,000        2,287,403  

NextEra Energy Capital Company

    2.25       6-1-2030        5,941,000        6,052,230  

NextEra Energy Capital Company

    2.75       5-1-2025        6,104,000        6,527,503  

NiSource Incorporated

    3.60       5-1-2030        1,094,000        1,236,314  
            54,205,615  
         

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $1,456,340,605)

 

     1,534,288,681  
         

 

 

 

Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes: 0.01%

 

Energy: 0.01%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.01%  

EnCana Corporation

    6.63       8-15-2037      CAD 979,000        728,445  
         

 

 

 

Total Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $1,165,761)

 

     728,445  
         

 

 

 

Municipal Obligations: 0.55%

 

California: 0.17%

 

GO Revenue: 0.17%                          

California Build America Bonds

    7.60       11-1-2040      $ 830,000        1,475,964  

Los Angeles CA Community College District Build America Bonds

    6.75       8-1-2049        4,690,000        7,966,387  
            9,442,351  
         

 

 

 

Nevada: 0.08%

         
Airport Revenue: 0.08%                          

Clark County NV Airport Authority Build America Bonds Series C

    6.82       7-1-2045        3,365,000        4,770,931  
         

 

 

 

New York: 0.12%

         
Airport Revenue: 0.12%                          

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Bonds Series 174

    4.46       10-1-2062        5,505,000        6,948,081  
         

 

 

 

Ohio: 0.05%

         
Education Revenue: 0.05%                          

Ohio State University General Receipts Taxable Bonds Series A

    4.80       6-1-2111        1,957,000        2,817,747  
         

 

 

 

Texas: 0.13%

         
Education Revenue: 0.03%                          

University of Texas Financing System Bond Series B

    2.44       8-15-2049        1,695,000        1,697,305  
         

 

 

 
Transportation Revenue: 0.10%                          

North Texas Tollway Authority

    6.72       1-1-2049        3,609,000        6,014,435  
         

 

 

 
            7,711,740  
         

 

 

 

Total Municipal Obligations (Cost $23,744,438)

 

     31,690,850  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

44  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities: 3.63%  

Angel Oak Mortgage Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A±±

    3.63     3-25-2049      $ 2,431,305      $ 2,460,026  

Angel Oak Mortgage Trust Series 2020-2 Class A1 144A±±

    2.53       1-26-2065        7,967,000        7,965,607  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust Series 2018-B1 Class ASB ±±

    3.60       1-15-2051        1,620,000        1,760,198  

Bunker Hill Loan Depositary Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A

    3.61       10-26-2048        3,021,369        3,066,894  

Bunker Hill Loan Depositary Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A

    2.88       7-25-2049        5,289,032        5,272,206  

Bunker Hill Loan Depositary Trust Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A

    2.72       11-25-2059        6,243,659        6,285,324  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2016-CD1 Class A1

    1.44       8-10-2049        612,071        611,502  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-CD4 Class A4 ±±

    3.51       5-10-2050        2,986,000        3,265,925  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-CD4 Class ASB

    3.32       5-10-2050        2,105,000        2,244,851  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-CD6 Class ASB

    3.33       11-13-2050        5,323,000        5,690,651  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2016-C3 Class A1

    1.79       1-10-2048        517,720        517,922  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-C8 Class A1

    1.96       6-15-2050        359,129        359,554  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-C8 Class ASB

    3.37       6-15-2050        2,014,000        2,143,823  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2016- P5 Class A1

    1.41       10-10-2049        523,192        522,755  

Colt Funding LLC Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A±±

    3.71       3-25-2049        1,978,636        1,988,773  

Colt Funding LLC Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A±±

    3.34       5-25-2049        3,752,733        3,775,345  

Colt Funding LLC Series 2019-4 Class A1 144A±±

    2.58       11-25-2049        4,641,768        4,635,531  

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2015-LC21 Class A4

    3.71       7-10-2048        1,777,000        1,932,949  

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2015-LC23 Class A4

    3.77       10-10-2048        3,551,000        3,881,149  

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2016-C1 Class ASB

    2.97       10-10-2049        2,071,000        2,166,315  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2015-C2 Class A4

    3.50       6-15-2057        2,953,000        3,149,646  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2015-C4 Class A4

    3.81       11-15-2048        4,102,200        4,382,729  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2016-C5 Class ASB

    3.53       11-15-2048        865,000        908,473  

Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-C6 Class ASB

    3.12       6-10-2050        1,249,000        1,319,453  

GCAT Series 2019-NQM1 Class A1 144A

    2.99       2-25-2059        1,960,207        2,004,886  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2012-GCJ7 Class AAB

    2.94       5-10-2045        86,012        86,247  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2014-GCJ18 Class A3

    3.80       1-10-2047        1,727,233        1,784,756  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2015-GC28 Class A5

    3.40       2-10-2048        1,355,000        1,429,151  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2015-GC34 Class A4

    3.51       10-10-2048        3,317,000        3,586,161  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2020-GC47 Class A5

    2.38       5-12-2053        4,162,000        4,290,695  

Impact Funding LLC Series 2010-1 Class A1 144A

    5.31       1-25-2051        6,345,963        6,779,428  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2014-C23 Class A4

    3.67       9-15-2047        2,419,000        2,581,971  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2015-C33 Class A4

    3.77       12-15-2048        1,554,714        1,702,954  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2017-C5 Class ASB

    3.49       3-15-2050        861,000        920,090  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2018-C8 Class ASB

    4.15       6-15-2051        2,714,000        3,022,876  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2014-GC26 Class A4

    3.49       1-15-2048        3,433,202        3,668,458  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2015-C28 Class A3

    2.91       10-15-2048        10,025,969        10,472,973  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2015-C29 Class A4

    3.61       5-15-2048        2,663,000        2,877,049  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2017-JP6 Class ASB

    3.28       7-15-2050        2,343,000        2,498,829  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust Series 2013 -C10 Class A4 ±±

    4.08       7-15-2046        532,000        563,860  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust Series 2015-C125 Class ASB

    3.38       10-15-2048        1,689,000        1,767,674  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust Series 2015-C20 Class A4

    3.25       2-15-2048        800,041        844,428  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust Series 2015-C27 Class A4

    3.75       12-15-2047        754,000        808,853  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust Series 2016-UB11 Class A1

    1.45       8-15-2049        1,049,928        1,048,730  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust Series 2016-UB11 Class ASB

    2.61       8-15-2049        2,119,000        2,183,278  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2019-NQM2 Class A1 144A±±

    3.60       4-25-2049        2,528,871        2,556,320  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  45


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2019-NQM4 Class A1 144A±±

    2.49 %       9-25-2059      $ 4,242,720      $ 4,136,895  

SG Capital Partners Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A±±

    2.70       9-25-2059        4,515,720        4,507,785  

Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust Series 2019-INV1 Class A1 144A±±

    2.61       9-27-2049        4,735,707        4,679,627  

Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust Series 2020-1 Class A1 144A±±

    2.28       2-25-2050        8,062,265        8,052,371  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A±±

    3.40       12-25-2059        3,864,356        3,920,275  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A±±

    3.84       2-25-2059        1,977,832        1,996,915  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A±±

    2.91       7-25-2059        4,651,644        4,688,731  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A±±

    3.21       5-25-2059        9,092,150        9,153,617  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A±±

    2.69       11-25-2059        2,935,180        2,885,785  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A

    2.78       7-25-2059        8,989,567        9,097,940  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-4 Class A1 144A

    2.64       11-25-2059        12,926,857        13,020,995  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2020-1 Class A1 144A±±

    2.42       1-25-2060        2,828,505        2,839,969  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2020-2 Class A1 144A±±

    2.23       5-25-2060        10,053,000        10,043,637  

Visio Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A±±

    3.57       6-25-2054        2,371,944        2,398,537  

Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $206,132,890)

 

     209,210,347  
         

 

 

 
U.S. Treasury Securities: 13.54%  

U.S. Treasury Bond %%

    1.13       5-15-2040        80,287,000        79,459,040  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.25       5-15-2050        34,970,000        33,516,559  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.00       2-15-2050        16,443,000        18,797,047  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.38       11-15-2049        5,813,000        7,163,614  

U.S. Treasury Bond ##

    2.75       11-15-2042        103,405,000        131,926,199  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.88       5-15-2043        73,539,000        95,813,273  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.13       8-15-2044        68,578,000        93,349,124  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       4-30-2022        3,691,000        3,688,981  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    0.13       5-31-2022        78,247,000        78,188,862  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       5-15-2023        1,359,000        1,356,186  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    0.25       5-31-2025        58,075,000        57,876,267  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.38       3-31-2022        8,291,000        8,322,091  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.38       4-30-2025        18,495,000        18,557,854  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.50       4-30-2027        23,045,000        23,056,702  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    0.63       5-15-2030        56,326,000        56,167,583  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    2.50       2-28-2026        38,154,000        42,705,653  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    2.63       3-31-2025        19,330,000        21,479,707  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.88       11-30-2025        7,491,000        8,509,893  

Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $764,175,637)

 

     779,934,635  
         

 

 

 

Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes: 6.05%

 

Communication Services: 0.17%

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.17%  

America Movil SAV de CV

    2.88       5-7-2030        5,650,000        5,881,763  

Vodafone Group plc

    4.25       9-17-2050        3,512,000        4,032,290  
            9,914,053  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 0.21%

 

Beverages: 0.01%  

Bacardi Limited 144A

    5.30       5-15-2048        492,000        589,927  
         

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.20%  

Danone SA 144A

    2.95       11-2-2026        10,762,000        11,734,068  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

46  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Energy: 0.98%

 

Energy Equipment & Services: 0.03%  

Schlumberger Limited 144A

    2.65 %       11-20-2022      $ 1,873,000      $ 1,901,911  
         

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.95%  

Ecopetrol SA

    5.88       5-28-2045        1,971,000        2,049,840  

Ecopetrol SA

    6.88       4-29-2030        5,235,000        5,975,753  

Enbridge Incorporated

    2.50       1-15-2025        8,774,000        9,031,932  

Enbridge Incorporated

    3.13       11-15-2029        4,015,000        4,159,558  

EnCana Corporation

    6.50       2-1-2038        1,000,000        763,541  

Equinor ASA

    1.75       1-22-2026        2,849,000        2,909,861  

Equinor ASA

    2.38       5-22-2030        1,898,000        1,956,830  

Equinor ASA

    3.25       11-18-2049        1,365,000        1,436,895  

Petroleos Mexicanos Company

    2.38       4-15-2025        1,814,500        1,883,300  

Petroleos Mexicanos Company

    2.46       12-15-2025        4,839,000        5,031,835  

Suncor Energy Incorporated

    2.80       5-15-2023        4,907,000        5,027,241  

Suncor Energy Incorporated

    3.10       5-15-2025        3,945,000        4,128,988  

Total Capital International SA

    3.13       5-29-2050        2,903,000        2,933,078  

TransCanada PipeLines Limited

    3.75       10-16-2023        4,723,000        5,079,191  

TransCanada PipeLines Limited

    4.63       3-1-2034        1,297,000        1,486,208  

TransCanada PipeLines Limited

    4.88       1-15-2026        579,000        671,043  
            54,525,094  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 3.87%

 

Banks: 2.28%  

Asian Development Bank

    0.63       4-7-2022        16,572,000        16,663,716  

Banco Santander SA

    2.75       5-28-2025        3,600,000        3,674,367  

Banco Santander SA

    3.49       5-28-2030        1,800,000        1,843,047  

Banco Santander SA 144A

    5.38       4-17-2025        2,512,000        2,690,980  

Barclays plc (3 Month LIBOR +3.05%) ±

    5.09       6-20-2030        6,484,000        7,225,841  

BNP Paribas SA (3 Month LIBOR +1.11%) 144A±

    2.82       11-19-2025        10,801,000        11,092,591  

BNP Paribas SA (U.S. SOFR +1.51%) 144A±

    3.05       1-13-2031        4,798,000        4,914,116  

Credit Agricole SA (London) 144A

    2.38       1-22-2025        6,989,000        7,260,316  

Danske Bank A/S (3 Month LIBOR +1.25%) 144A±

    3.00       9-20-2022        9,078,000        9,170,086  

Danske Bank A/S (3 Month LIBOR +1.59%) 144A±

    3.24       12-20-2025        8,694,000        8,878,977  

Danske Bank A/S 144A

    5.00       1-12-2022        4,619,000        4,839,452  

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank

    0.50       5-27-2025        11,397,000        11,384,928  

Lloyds Banking Group plc (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +3.50%) ±

    3.87       7-9-2025        10,041,000        10,663,499  

Royal Bank Scotland Group plc (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +2.15%) ±

    2.36       5-22-2024        1,639,000        1,655,230  

Royal Bank Scotland Group plc (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +2.55%) ±

    3.07       5-22-2028        2,969,000        3,038,902  

Royal Bank Scotland Group plc (5 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +2.10%) ±

    3.75       11-1-2029        2,937,000        2,971,051  

Royal Bank Scotland Group plc (3 Month LIBOR +1.87%) ±

    4.45       5-8-2030        2,768,000        3,125,388  

Societe Generale 144A

    2.63       10-16-2024        2,188,000        2,197,738  

Societe Generale 144A

    2.63       1-22-2025        7,257,000        7,286,022  

Standard Chartered plc (5 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +3.85%) 144A±

    4.64       4-1-2031        740,000        825,253  

Swedish Export Credit Corporation

    0.75       4-6-2023        9,751,000        9,820,463  
            131,221,963  
         

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 0.58%  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited (3 Month LIBOR +1.20%) 144A±

    3.00       12-14-2023        3,476,000        3,585,132  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited 144A

    3.57       1-9-2023        9,687,000        9,987,367  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited

    3.80       6-9-2023        3,131,000        3,323,801  

MDGH GMTN BV 144A

    2.88       11-7-2029        3,449,000        3,574,026  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  47


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

Nomura Holdings Incorporated

    2.65 %       1-16-2025      $ 3,419,000      $ 3,530,610  

Nomura Holdings Incorporated

    3.10       1-16-2030        9,355,000        9,428,662  
            33,429,598  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.84%  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    3.50       5-26-2022        1,794,000        1,663,328  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    3.95       2-1-2022        992,000        934,801  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    4.45       4-3-2026        1,162,000        1,007,817  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    4.63       7-1-2022        838,000        789,735  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    4.88       1-16-2024        1,868,000        1,670,209  

Brookfield Finance Incorporated

    4.35       4-15-2030        3,943,000        4,315,020  

DH Europe Finance II

    2.05       11-15-2022        2,964,000        3,053,701  

DH Europe Finance II

    2.20       11-15-2024        5,077,000        5,305,728  

DH Europe Finance II

    2.60       11-15-2029        6,383,000        6,709,893  

DH Europe Finance II

    3.40       11-15-2049        1,552,000        1,723,669  

Element Fleet Management Corporation 144A%%

    3.85       6-15-2025        3,803,000        3,817,674  

General Electric Capital International Funding Company

    4.42       11-15-2035        7,786,000        7,773,801  

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG (3 Month LIBOR +0.95%) 144A±

    2.86       8-15-2023        9,184,000        9,466,395  
            48,231,771  
         

 

 

 
Insurance: 0.11%  

Athene Holding Limited

    6.15       4-3-2030        5,825,000        6,362,344  
         

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 0.06%  

Nationwide Building Society (3 Month LIBOR +1.39%) 144A±

    4.36       8-1-2024        3,382,000        3,620,199  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 0.23%

 

Pharmaceuticals: 0.23%  

Shire plc

    2.88       9-23-2023        3,857,000        4,067,465  

Shire plc

    3.20       9-23-2026        4,630,000        5,111,335  

Takeda Pharmaceutical

    4.40       11-26-2023        3,391,000        3,766,952  
            12,945,752  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 0.04%

 

Construction & Engineering: 0.04%  

Hutama Karya Persero PT 144A

    3.75       5-11-2030        2,193,000        2,276,641  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.33%

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.33%  

NXP BV 144A

    2.70       5-1-2025        1,881,000        1,939,885  

NXP BV 144A

    3.15       5-1-2027        3,193,000        3,265,465  

NXP BV 144A

    3.40       5-1-2030        4,040,000        4,197,631  

NXP BV 144A

    3.88       6-18-2026        6,561,000        7,086,352  

NXP BV 144A

    4.30       6-18-2029        2,491,000        2,729,462  
            19,218,795  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.14%

 

Chemicals: 0.11%  

Nutrien Limited

    2.95       5-13-2030        2,552,000        2,663,345  

Nutrien Limited

    5.00       4-1-2049        2,878,000        3,540,692  
            6,204,037  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Metals & Mining: 0.03%  

Teck Resources Limited

    6.25 %       7-15-2041      $ 1,595,000      $ 1,607,072  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 0.08%

 

Equity REITs: 0.08%  

Scentre Group Trust 144A

    3.63       1-28-2026        2,946,000        2,990,379  

Trust F/1401 144A

    6.39       1-15-2050        1,754,000        1,609,137  
            4,599,516  
         

 

 

 

Total Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $337,419,944)

 

     348,382,741  
         

 

 

 
Yankee Government Bonds: 1.42%  

Abu Dhabi Government International 144A

    2.50       4-16-2025        10,643,000        11,050,095  

Abu Dhabi Government International 144A

    3.88       4-16-2050        960,000        1,093,200  

Japan Bank for International Cooperation

    1.75       10-17-2024        5,082,000        5,292,715  

Republic of Indonesia

    4.45       4-15-2070        3,021,000        3,351,662  

Republic of Paraguay 144A

    4.95       4-28-2031        3,341,000        3,591,575  

Republic of Paraguay 144A

    5.40       3-30-2050        5,109,000        5,637,833  

Republic of Peru

    2.39       1-23-2026        2,239,000        2,315,126  

Republic of Peru

    2.78       1-23-2031        1,307,000        1,377,578  

State of Israel

    3.38       1-15-2050        1,926,000        2,033,972  

State of Israel

    4.50       4-3-2120        1,948,000        2,368,534  

State of Qatar 144A

    3.40       4-16-2025        7,445,000        7,949,324  

State of Qatar 144A

    3.75       4-16-2030        5,095,000        5,668,188  

United Mexican States

    3.25       4-16-2030        6,701,000        6,610,604  

United Mexican States

    3.90       4-27-2025        4,768,000        5,023,088  

United Mexican States

    4.50       4-22-2029        10,455,000        11,291,400  

United Mexican States

    4.60       2-10-2048        1,756,000        1,817,460  

United Mexican States

    4.75       3-8-2044        2,482,000        2,589,967  

United Mexican States

    5.00       4-27-2051        2,564,000        2,753,736  

Total Yankee Government Bonds (Cost $76,730,367)

 

     81,816,057  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield            Shares         
Short-Term Investments: 5.48%  
Investment Companies: 5.48%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)##

    0.12          315,907,475        315,907,475  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $315,907,475)

 

     315,907,475  
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $6,146,838,113)     109.97        6,336,292,302  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (9.97        (574,436,458
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 5,761,855,844  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

±

Variable rate investment. The rate shown is the rate in effect at period end.

%%

The security is purchased on a when-issued basis.

±±

The coupon of the security is adjusted based on the principal and interest payments received from the underlying pool of mortgages as well as the credit quality and the actual prepayment speed of the underlying mortgages.

144A

The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

##

All or a portion of this security is segregated for when-issued securities.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

Abbreviations:

 

CAD

Canadian dollar

 

FHLMC

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

FNMA

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

GNMA

Government National Mortgage Association

 

GO

General Obligation

 

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

SOFR

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Shares,

beginning of

period

    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
   

Value,
end of

period

    % of
net
assets
 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC*

    2,778,863       448,833,680       (451,612,543     0     $ 162,733     $ 0     $ 167,952 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    117,422,859       4,506,785,163       (4,308,300,547     315,907,475       0       0       1,907,124       315,907,475    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 162,733     $ 0     $ 2,075,076     $ 315,907,475       5.48
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $5,830,930,638)

  $ 6,020,384,827  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $315,907,475)

    315,907,475  

Cash

    380,563  

Receivable for investments sold

    741,344,952  

Receivable for interest

    20,894,460  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    482,739  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    7,099,395,016  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    644,079,378  

Payable for when-issued transactions

    691,350,673  

Cash collateral due to broker

    451,000  

Advisory fee payable

    1,657,358  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    763  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,337,539,172  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 5,761,855,844  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest

  $ 151,181,732  

Income from affiliated securities

    1,959,822  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    153,141,554  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    19,865,265  

Custody and accounting fees

    250,457  

Professional fees

    77,976  

Shareholder report expenses

    4,044  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,036  

Other fees and expenses

    22,924  
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    20,241,702  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    132,899,852  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    327,741,682  

Affiliated securities

    162,733  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    327,904,415  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    58,392,982  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    386,297,397  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 519,197,249  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

 

Net investment income

  $ 132,899,852     $ 166,921,454  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    327,904,415       (17,686,402

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    58,392,982       194,869,104  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    519,197,249       344,104,156  
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

   

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

 

Contributions

    2,488,553,741       697,097,878  

Withdrawals

    (3,071,640,078     (888,699,376
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (583,086,337     (191,601,498
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (63,889,088     152,502,658  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

    5,825,744,932       5,673,242,274  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 5,761,855,844     $ 5,825,744,932  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019      2018     2017     2016  

Total return

     9.49      6.30      (0.53 )%      1.89     2.78

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

            

Gross expenses

     0.35      0.35      0.35     0.35     0.36

Net expenses

     0.35      0.35      0.35     0.35     0.35

Net investment income

     2.28      2.93      2.23     1.87     1.86

Supplemental data

            

Portfolio turnover rate

     603      577      542     614     667

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

The values of securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Portfolio are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

When-issued transactions

The Portfolio may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. The Portfolio records a when-issued transaction on the trade date and will segregate assets in an amount at least equal in value to the Portfolio’s commitment to purchase when-issued securities. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and the Portfolio begins earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All interest, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether interest and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $6,151,455,687 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 208,361,047  

Gross unrealized losses

     (23,524,432

Net unrealized gains

   $ 184,836,615  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Agency securities

   $ 0      $ 2,553,913,359      $ 0      $ 2,553,913,359  

Asset-backed securities

     0        480,419,712        0        480,419,712  

Corporate bonds and notes

     0        1,534,288,681        0        1,534,288,681  

Foreign corporate bonds and notes

     0        728,445        0        728,445  

Municipal obligations

     0        31,690,850        0        31,690,850  

Non-agency mortgage-back securities

     0        209,210,347        0        209,210,347  

U.S. Treasury securities

     779,934,635        0        0        779,934,635  

Yankee corporate bonds and notes

     0        348,382,741        0        348,382,741  

Yankee government bonds

     0        81,816,057        0        81,816,057  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     315,907,475        0        0        315,907,475  

Total assets

   $ 1,095,842,110      $ 5,240,450,192      $ 0      $ 6,336,292,302  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee

First $500 million

   0.400%

Next $500 million

   0.375

Next $2 billion

   0.350

Next $2 billion

   0.325

Next $5 billion

   0.300

Over $10 billion

   0.290

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.34% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.20% and declining to 0.10% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

 

 

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Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$31,913,212,645      $4,978,003,193      $32,223,666,843      $4,610,379,746

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

In March 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. ASU 2017-08 shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and requires the premium to be amortized to the

 

 

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earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount and discounts will continue to be accreted to the maturity date of the security. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. During the current reporting period, management of the Portfolio adopted the change in accounting policy which did not have a material impact to the Portfolio’s financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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TAX INFORMATION    

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $122,041,975 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $12,673,109 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, 15.12% of the ordinary income distributed was derived from interest on U.S. government securities.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.    

 

 

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Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1 (Born 1967)   Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi (Born 1975)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund and Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management, for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management

 

 

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and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than or in range of the average investment performance of its Universe for the five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2019, and lower than its benchmark for the one-, three- and five-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was in range of its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020, and lower than its benchmark for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Gateway Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods identified above. The Funds Trust Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Gateway Fund’s investment performance.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for all share classes.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management, advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would

 

 

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be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were lower than or equal to the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was in range of the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Master Trust Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Boards noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Master Portfolio and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund. Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1)the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in anon-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a13-month period of time.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00336 07-20

A287/AR287 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo International Value Fund  
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   20
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   24
Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  
Portfolio of investments   25
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   32
Statement of operations   33
Statement of changes in net assets   34
Financial highlights   35
Notes to financial statements   36
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   41
Other information   42
Appendix I   51
Appendix II   52
Appendix III   54
Appendix IV   55

 

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and
shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo International Value Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

LSV Asset Management

Portfolio managers

Josef Lakonishok, Ph.D.

Puneet Mansharamani, CFA®

Menno Vermeulen, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020    

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (WFFAX)   10-31-2003     -14.86       -3.41       2.46       -9.66       -2.26       3.07       1.33       1.24  
                   
Class C (WFVCX)   4-8-2005     -11.38       -3.01       2.28       -10.38       -3.01       2.28       2.08       1.99  
                   
Class R6 (WFRVX)4   7-31-2018                       -9.27       -1.89       3.49       0.90       0.84  
                   
Administrator Class (WFVDX)   4-8-2005                       -9.60       -2.22       3.21       1.25       1.14  
                   
Institutional Class (WFVIX)   8-31-2006                       -9.32       -1.91       3.48       1.00       0.89  
                   
MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net)5                         -13.03       -2.89       2.96              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Foreign investments are especially volatile and can rise or fall dramatically due to differences in the political and economic conditions of the host country. These risks are generally intensified in emerging markets. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20206

LOGO

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.24% for Class A, 1.99% for Class C, 0.84% for Class R6, 1.14% for Administrator Class, and 0.89% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, and Far East (EAFE) Value Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of value securities within developed equity markets, excluding the United States and Canada. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net). The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

7 

The MSCI EAFE Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The MSCI EAFE Growth Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of growth securities within developed equity markets, excluding the United States and Canada. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

10 

Amounts represent the allocation of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

* 

The security was no longer held at the end of the period.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net), for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

While value stocks continued to underperform in the period, strong stock selection and positive sector allocation contributed to the Fund’s outperformance relative to the value benchmark. The Fund’s underweight to financials—in particular, the underweight to banks—and overweight to health care and consumer staples stocks relative to the value benchmark had a positive impact on results. While the Fund’s holdings in the industrials and consumer discretionary sectors struggled, stock selection was strong in the materials, financials, energy, and information technology (IT) sectors.

 

 

The most significant detractor in the period was the poor environment for value stocks, which lagged growth stocks by more than 20% in the developed international markets.

International developed stock markets declined during the period.

International developed stock markets declined over the past 12 months, with the MSCI EAFE Index (Net)7 falling 2.81%. Value stocks trailed growth stocks by a significant margin in the period, as the MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net) declined 13.03% while the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (Net)8 gained 7.44%. Global equity markets finished 2019 on a strong note, rallying on strong economic data, reduced trade tensions, and continued accommodative central bank policies around the world. The market advance was abruptly interrupted in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic prompted sweeping economic shutdowns across the globe. The economic impacts of containment measures and worldwide recessionary fears sent equities sharply lower, particularly value stocks, which were punished in the sell-off. There was a wide dispersion of sector returns for the trailing 12 months. Health care stocks advanced nearly 30% and IT stocks were up 15%. However, energy stocks fell more than 30% while financials and real estate stocks declined nearly 20%.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20209  
   

Roche Holding AG

    3.38  
   

Sanofi SA

    2.18  
   

Novartis AG

    2.16  
   

KDDI Corporation

    1.70  
   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation

    1.63  
   

GlaxoSmithKline plc

    1.59  
   

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    1.47  
   

Enel SpA

    1.41  
   

Total SA

    1.39  
   

British American Tobacco plc

    1.14  

Strong stock selection and sector allocation contributed to the Fund’s relative performance.

The difficult environment for value stocks had a negative impact on results given the Fund’s emphasis on deeper value stocks. However, strong stock selection and positive sector allocation contributed to the Fund’s outperformance relative to the value benchmark. The Fund’s underweight to financials—in particular, the underweight to banks—and overweight to health care and consumer staples stocks relative to the value benchmark had a positive impact on results. While the Fund’s holdings in the industrials and consumer discretionary sectors struggled, stock selection was strong in the materials, financials, energy, and IT sectors.

 

 

Sector allocation as of May 31, 202010

 

LOGO

 

Geographic allocation as of May 31, 202010
LOGO
 

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Top-contributing stocks included pharmaceutical holdings Roche Holding Limited AG and Astellas Pharma Incorporated, which were up approximately 30%. Materials holdings Fortescue Metals, Highland Gold Mining, and China Resources Cement Holdings also contributed for the period. Underweights to integrated oil and gas companies Royal Dutch Shell and BP plc also added value. Integrated oil and gas stocks declined 35% as oil prices plummeted due to both demand and supply shocks. In addition, underweights to financials HSBC Holdings* and Banco Santander added value.

Brazilian financial holdings hurt performance.

Detractors included Brazilian financial holdings Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul and Banco do Brasil* as well as Natixis in the financials sector and industrials holding Schneider Electric*. Underweights to Novartis AG, Toyota Motor Company*, Softbank Group*, and British American Tobacco all detracted, although we began buying Novartis and British American Tobacco late in the period.

The most significant changes to sector exposures during the period included an increase in IT and health care stocks and a decrease in industrials and utilities stocks. The Fund added to several pharmaceutical holdings, including Astellas Pharma, Kaken Pharmaceutical, Teva Pharmaceutical, and Bayer, and initiated a position in Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis. The Fund initiated positions in several IT stocks, including Hon Hai Precision Technology, Tripod Technology, and Wistron Corporation in Taiwan and added to IT holdings Tech Mahindra in India and semiconductor company Siltronic.

The Fund reduced its weight to the industrials and utilities sectors relative to the value benchmark. The Fund trimmed its positions in U.K. aerospace and defense holding BAE Systems and engineering and construction company Bouygues in France. The Fund sold several Japanese industrials, including Central Glass, Fujikura, and Maeda Road Construction. Among utilities, the Fund sold Iberdrola in Spain and reduced the weight to Italian utility Enel.

The Fund is overweight the industrials, consumer staples, IT, and health care sectors relative to the value benchmark while underweight the financials, utilities, communication services, and real estate sectors.

We believe the Fund is well positioned given the recent difficult environment for value stocks.

Both in normal market periods and during large stock market downturns as we experienced in early 2020, the Fund has employed a disciplined, diversified, value-oriented approach that patiently takes advantage of investors’ tendency to overreact to information about the prospects of each company’s long-term earnings and cash flows. While value stocks have suffered over the past few years, we have weathered previous tough periods for our approach. It has been our experience that difficult periods for value stocks have historically presented investors with some of the best buying opportunities in history and this recent episode of value underperformance seems to be providing such opportunities.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 822.65      $ 5.65        1.24

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.80      $ 6.26        1.24
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 818.68      $ 9.04        1.99

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.06      $ 10.01        1.99
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 823.59      $ 3.82        0.84

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.81      $ 4.24        0.84
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 822.73      $ 5.19        1.14

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.31      $ 5.75        1.14
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 824.34      $ 4.06        0.89

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.55      $ 4.49        0.89

 

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 101.96%

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio: 101.96%  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

           $ 591,513,965  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $704,237,519)

             591,513,965        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $704,237,519)     101.96        591,513,965  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (1.96        (11,363,618
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 580,150,347  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:     

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Net

change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Value,

end
of period

    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    79     75   $ (11,553,693   $ (47,127,244   $ 24,568,929     $ 584,487     $ 591,513,965       101.96

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $704,237,519)

  $ 591,513,965  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    156,467  

Receivable from manager

    72,589  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    198,310  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    591,941,331  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    11,700,659  

Administration fees payable

    67,044  

Distribution fee payable

    247  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    825  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    22,209  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    11,790,984  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 580,150,347  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 705,098,664  

Total distributable loss

    (124,948,317
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 580,150,347  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 64,413,639  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    5,414,640  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $11.90  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $12.63  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 413,978  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    35,646  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $11.61  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 2,843,048  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    241,890  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $11.75  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 2,270,868  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    189,237  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $12.00  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 510,208,814  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    43,401,590  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $11.76  

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $3,630,890)

  $ 24,568,929  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    584,487  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (6,587,687

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    2,171  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    18,567,900  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    412,177  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    142,265  

Class C

    1,171  

Class R6

    377  

Administrator Class

    3,869  

Institutional Class

    977,363  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    169,354  

Class C

    1,392  

Administrator Class

    7,437  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    4,174  

Custody and accounting fees

    25,859  

Professional fees

    39,206  

Registration fees

    183,441  

Shareholder report expenses

    202,045  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    25,332  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,217,054  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (970,738

Class A

    (5,218

Class R6

    (98

Class Administrator

    (677

Institutional Class

    (166,871
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,073,452  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    17,494,448  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized losses on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (11,553,693

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (47,127,244
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (58,680,937
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (41,186,489
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

     

Net investment income

    $ 17,494,448       $ 29,474,112  

Net realized losses on investments

      (11,553,693       (1,507,425

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (47,127,244       (128,322,670
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

      (41,186,489       (100,355,983
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

     

Class A

      (1,987,586       (1,313,945

Class C

      (10,928       (14,168

Class R6

      (20,220       (596 )1 

Administrator Class

      (93,039       (77,201

Institutional Class

      (29,054,083       (20,194,351
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (31,165,856       (21,600,261
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    2,695,644       34,135,676       3,672,486       53,518,580  

Class C

    7,349       103,617       16,692       242,225  

Class R6

    245,451       3,473,318       24,567 1      344,146 1 

Administrator Class

    12,438       168,373       32,361       477,105  

Institutional Class

    14,319,614       186,253,039       18,526,386       265,263,060  
 

 

 

 
      224,134,023         319,845,116  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    131,792       1,986,109       100,957       1,313,445  

Class C

    741       10,928       1,114       14,168  

Class R6

    1,307       19,422       0 1      0 1 

Administrator Class

    6,052       91,935       5,827       76,387  

Institutional Class

    1,945,419       28,908,926       1,565,162       20,081,032  
 

 

 

 
      31,017,320         21,485,032  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,650,931     (23,070,567     (2,002,351     (28,345,901

Class C

    (23,596     (307,728     (41,168     (575,161

Class R6

    (29,425     (350,322     (10 )1      (134 )1 

Administrator Class

    (76,336     (1,034,358     (169,343     (2,557,464

Institutional Class

    (31,599,337     (426,275,889     (14,671,752     (210,525,992
 

 

 

 
      (451,038,864       (242,004,652
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (195,887,521       99,325,496  
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (268,239,866       (22,630,748
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      848,390,213         871,020,961  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 580,150,347       $ 848,390,213  
 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.55       $15.68       $14.88       $12.83       $14.85  

Net investment income

    0.27 1      0.47 1      0.72 1      0.09 1      0.26  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1.49     (2.27     0.35       2.26       (2.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (1.22     (1.80     1.07       2.35       (1.82

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.43     (0.33     (0.27     (0.30     (0.20

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.90       $13.55       $15.68       $14.88       $12.83  

Total return2

    (9.66 )%      (11.42 )%      7.12     18.65     (12.31 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.37     1.34     1.34     1.39     1.46

Net expenses3

    1.25     1.33     1.34     1.35     1.39

Net investment income3

    1.99     3.22     4.48     0.69     1.98

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $64,414       $57,427       $38,677       $2,571       $4,981  

 

 

 

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.85

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.91

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  15


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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.20       $15.24       $14.60       $12.56       $14.54  

Net investment income

    0.15 1      0.36       0.21       0.23       0.17  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1.46     (2.21     0.73       1.97       (2.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (1.31     (1.85     0.94       2.20       (1.88

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.28     (0.19     (0.30     (0.16     (0.10

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.61       $13.20       $15.24       $14.60       $12.56  

Total return2

    (10.38 )%      (12.10 )%      6.36     17.69     (12.95 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    2.12     2.08     2.10     2.16     2.21

Net expenses3

    2.00     2.08     2.10     2.10     2.14

Net investment income3

    1.13     1.92     1.40     1.57     1.25

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $414       $675       $1,135       $832       $783  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:                

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.82

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.87

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.91

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

     Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6    2020      20191  

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $13.39        $15.44  

Net investment income

     0.37 1       0.51  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

     (1.52      (2.19
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     (1.15      (1.68

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

     (0.49      (0.37

Net asset value, end of period

     $11.75        $13.39  

Total return2

     (9.27 )%       (10.85 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses3

     0.97      0.92

Net expenses3

     0.84      0.89

Net investment income3

     3.01      7.19

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate4

     20      13

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

     $2,843        $329  

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 20191

    0.79

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.66       $15.76       $15.04       $12.91       $14.73  

Net investment income

    0.27 1      0.43 1      0.37 1      0.33 1      0.14 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1.49     (2.23     0.73       2.05       (1.96
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (1.22     (1.80     1.10       2.38       (1.82

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.44     (0.30     (0.38     (0.25     0.00  

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.00       $13.66       $15.76       $15.04       $12.91  

Total return

    (9.60 )%      (11.33 )%      7.25     18.66     (12.36 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.29     1.25     1.27     1.33     1.36

Net expenses2

    1.15     1.24     1.25     1.25     1.25

Net investment income2

    1.99     2.92     2.30     2.46     0.99

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,271       $3,375       $5,961       $5,407       $11,873  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:                

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.82

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.87

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.91

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.39       $15.48       $14.80       $12.73       $14.75  

Net investment income

    0.29 1      0.48 1      0.41       0.39       0.36  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1.44     (2.22     0.71       1.99       (2.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (1.15     (1.74     1.12       2.38       (1.76

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.48     (0.35     (0.44     (0.31     (0.26

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.76       $13.39       $15.48       $14.80       $12.73  

Total return

    (9.32 )%      (11.13 )%      7.51     19.04     (11.98 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.04     1.01     1.02     1.07     1.13

Net expenses2

    0.90     0.99     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income2

    2.13     3.35     2.43     2.95     2.81

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $510,209       $786,584       $825,247       $713,180       $456,239  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.82

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.86

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.91

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  19


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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo International Value Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 75% of Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $708,139,189 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 0  

Gross unrealized losses

     (116,625,224

Net unrealized losses

   $ (116,625,224

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards which consist of $13,306,325 in long-term capital losses.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective   

Fair value of affiliated

Master Portfolio

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seek long-term capital appreciation    $591,513,965

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee

First $5 billion

   0.05%

Next $5 billion

   0.04

Over $10 billion

   0.03

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  21


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Notes to financial statements

 

servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee

Class A, Class C

   0.21%

Class R6

   0.03

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

   0.13

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.24% for Class A shares, 1.99% for Class C shares, 0.84% for Class R6 shares, 1.14% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.89% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Prior to July 1, 2019, the Fund’s expenses were capped at 1.35% for Class A shares, 2.10% for Class C shares, 0.90% for Class R6 shares, 1.25% for Administrator Class shares, and 1.00% for Institutional Class shares.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $2,262 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $148,098,653 and $289,079,036, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid was $31,165,856 and $21,600,261 of ordinary income for the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively.

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary income

  

Unrealized

losses

  

Capital loss

carryforward

$4,983,232    $(116,625,224)    $(13,306,325)

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of geographic regions. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any geographic region, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that geographic region than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any geographic region. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in Europe.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  23


Table of Contents

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo International Value Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 97.29%

 

Australia: 4.76%  

AGL Energy Limited (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          263,700      $ 2,954,376  

Beach Petroleum Limited (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          1,639,000        1,770,799  

BlueScope Steel Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          403,600        2,973,561  

Fortescue Metals Group Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          791,200        7,324,461  

Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Multiline Retail)

          1,228,714        2,666,327  

Lendlease Corporation Limited (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          311,600        2,693,685  

Metcash Limited (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          1,164,200        2,095,628  

Mirvac Group (Real Estate, Equity REITs)

          1,225,100        1,922,036  

Myer Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Multiline Retail) †

          1,702,400        312,679  

Qantas Airways Limited (Industrials, Airlines)

          1,241,700        3,314,614  

Rio Tinto Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          63,300        3,953,664  

South32 Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          1,057,700        1,337,317  

St. Barbara Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          932,700        1,911,436  

Super Cheap Auto Group Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail)

          422,200        2,359,778  
             37,590,361  
          

 

 

 
Austria: 0.71%  

OMV AG (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          80,400        2,656,723  

Raiffeisen Bank International AG (Financials, Banks)

          161,900        2,966,431  
             5,623,154  
          

 

 

 
Belgium: 0.55%  

Bpost SA (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics)

          105,700        693,107  

UCB SA (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          36,600        3,663,117  
             4,356,224  
          

 

 

 
Brazil: 0.84%  

Banco do Brasil SA (Financials, Banks)

          268,900        1,554,050  

Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais SA (Utilities, Water Utilities)

          212,400        2,296,625  

JBS SA (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

          676,000        2,783,149  
             6,633,824  
          

 

 

 
Canada: 0.94%  

Loblaw Companies Limited (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          74,000        3,663,318  

Magna International Incorporated (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          88,500        3,731,932  
             7,395,250  
          

 

 

 
China: 3.12%  

Agile Property Holdings Limited (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          1,900,000        1,971,930  

China Communications Services Corporation Limited H Shares (Industrials, Construction & Engineering)

          2,836,000        1,891,268  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation H Shares (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          5,050,000        2,356,180  

China Railway Construction Corporation Limited H Shares (Industrials, Construction & Engineering)

          2,455,500        2,204,757  

China Resources Cement Holdings Limited (Materials, Construction Materials)

          4,106,000        5,187,592  

China Telecom Corporation Limited H Shares (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          6,718,000        2,228,580  

PICC Property & Casualty Company Limited H Shares (Financials, Insurance)

          2,844,000        2,488,288  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Company Limited H Shares (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          922,300        1,462,104  

Shenzhen International Holdings Limited H Shares (Industrials, Transportation Infrastructure)

          1,777,300        2,976,639  

YiChang HEC ChangJiang Pharmaceutical Company Limited H Shares (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          541,000        1,923,188  
             24,690,526  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Denmark: 1.01%  

Danske Bank AS (Financials, Banks) †

          150,300      $ 1,864,552  

DFDS AS (Industrials, Marine) †

          49,100        1,440,579  

Pandora AS (Consumer Discretionary, Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

          58,500        2,931,114  

Sydbank AS (Financials, Banks) †

          102,782        1,779,374  
             8,015,619  
          

 

 

 
Finland: 0.18%  

Nordea Bank AB (Financials, Banks) †

          203,700        1,387,368  
          

 

 

 
France: 7.99%  

Air France-KLM SA (Industrials, Airlines) †

          288,100        1,299,679  

Arkema SA (Materials, Chemicals)

          42,992        3,769,981  

AXA SA (Financials, Insurance) †

          242,100        4,442,270  

BNP Paribas SA (Financials, Banks)

          123,579        4,447,042  

Bouygues SA (Industrials, Construction & Engineering) †

          61,700        1,892,997  

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA (Industrials, Building Products)

          94,700        3,099,106  

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          32,700        3,309,592  

Credit Agricole SA (Financials, Banks)

          299,500        2,629,362  

Engie SA (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          256,900        3,053,075  

Natixis SA (Financials, Capital Markets)

          877,400        1,967,499  

Neopost SA (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          66,600        966,096  

Renault SA (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          55,900        1,267,175  

Sanofi SA (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          172,100        16,833,922  

Societe Bic SA (Industrials, Commercial Services & Supplies)

          46,300        2,472,099  

Societe Generale SA (Financials, Banks)

          63,400        937,866  

Total SA (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          283,800        10,761,919  
             63,149,680  
          

 

 

 
Germany: 8.57%  

Allianz AG (Financials, Insurance)

          33,400        6,053,288  

Aurubis AG (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          43,296        2,507,128  

Bayer AG (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          90,400        6,179,706  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          64,800        3,797,678  

Covestro AG (Materials, Chemicals) 144A†

          102,800        3,821,795  

Daimler AG (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          87,100        3,245,477  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Industrials, Airlines)

          223,600        2,273,032  

Deutsche Post AG (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics)

          209,800        6,570,561  

Merck KGaA (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          33,600        3,873,241  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs Gesellschaft AG (Financials, Insurance)

          18,500        4,218,723  

Rheinmetall AG (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          30,300        2,467,796  

Siemens AG (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          67,800        7,475,269  

Siltronic AG (Information Technology, Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

          43,000        4,247,572  

United Internet AG (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          103,800        4,275,792  

Volkswagen AG (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          42,200        6,714,156  
             67,721,214  
          

 

 

 
Hong Kong: 3.27%  

China Water Affairs Group Limited (Utilities, Water Utilities)

          1,965,000        1,313,940  

CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          509,000        3,133,850  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          3,606,500        3,185,708  

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited (Materials, Paper & Forest Products)

          2,826,000        1,529,423  

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited (Materials, Paper & Forest Products)

          2,389,000        2,100,637  

Sinotruk Hong Kong Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          1,807,000        4,404,550  

Skyworth Digital Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          8,404,000        2,191,719  

WH Group Limited (Consumer Staples, Food Products) 144A

          4,116,000        3,580,691  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Hong Kong (continued)  

Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          2,816,000      $ 2,991,802  

Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

          1,005,000        1,447,135  
             25,879,455  
          

 

 

 
India: 0.44%  

REC Limited (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

          1,086,900        1,275,623  

Tech Mahindra Limited (Information Technology, IT Services)

          316,000        2,222,319  
             3,497,942  
          

 

 

 
Ireland: 0.62%  

C&C Group plc (Consumer Staples, Beverages)

          240,000        571,655  

Grafton Group plc (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          108,800        841,405  

Smurfit Kappa Group plc (Materials, Containers & Packaging)

          106,800        3,487,625  
             4,900,685  
          

 

 

 
Israel: 0.32%  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals) †

          206,100        2,569,363  
          

 

 

 
Italy: 2.73%  

A2A SpA (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          2,121,107        2,959,647  

Enel SpA (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

          1,405,800        10,869,256  

Leonardo SpA (Industrials, Aerospace & Defense)

          325,500        2,043,435  

Mediobanca SpA (Financials, Banks)

          371,363        2,442,953  

UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA (Financials, Insurance)

          1,453,100        3,234,206  
             21,549,497  
          

 

 

 
Japan: 23.82%  

Adeka Corporation (Materials, Chemicals)

          203,500        2,837,177  

Alfresa Holdings Corporation (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          172,800        3,487,991  

Asahi Glass Company Limited (Industrials, Building Products)

          121,800        3,454,659  

Astellas Pharma Incorporated (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          454,800        8,126,336  

Brother Industries Limited (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          200,800        3,799,914  

Credit Saison Company Limited (Financials, Consumer Finance)

          279,600        3,342,481  

Daiwa House Industry Company Limited (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          97,700        2,424,191  

Denka Company Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          99,700        2,453,744  

DIC Incorporated (Materials, Chemicals)

          124,900        3,264,576  

Fuji Machine Manufacturing Company Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          139,400        2,587,016  

Geo Holdings Corporation (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail)

          133,700        1,673,480  

Hitachi Capital Corporation (Financials, Consumer Finance)

          99,700        2,110,837  

Hitachi Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          73,400        2,370,761  

Honda Motor Company Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          229,100        5,965,441  

Isuzu Motors Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          434,600        4,082,046  

Itochu Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          397,400        8,545,878  

Japan Airlines Company Limited (Industrials, Airlines)

          108,600        2,132,548  

JTEKT Corporation (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          97,500        789,387  

JXTG Holdings Incorporated (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          754,900        2,917,637  

Kaken Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          37,200        2,050,553  

KDDI Corporation (Communication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          451,200        13,170,159  

Komatsu Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          178,300        3,605,478  

Makino Milling Machine Company Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          35,500        1,100,317  

Marubeni Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          779,300        3,794,190  

Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Company Limited (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          119,100        4,461,963  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Incorporated (Materials, Chemicals)

          269,700        4,030,965  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          1,275,400        5,294,355  

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company Limited (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

          699,300        3,429,068  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Japan (continued)  

Mitsui Chemicals Incorporated (Materials, Chemicals)

          177,100      $ 3,693,112  

Mizuho Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          3,425,200        4,275,135  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          554,100        12,611,974  

Nomura Holdings Incorporated (Financials, Capital Markets)

          840,500        3,622,409  

ORIX Corporation (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

          319,600        4,229,417  

Resona Holdings Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          1,348,600        4,877,162  

Ryobi Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          117,400        1,530,852  

Sawai Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          58,300        3,214,872  

Sojitz Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          1,855,500        4,323,164  

Sompo Holdings Incorporated NKSJ Holdings Inc(Financials, Insurance)

          85,400        3,046,360  

Sumitomo Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          248,700        2,996,609  

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          140,900        3,232,514  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          173,200        5,026,663  

T&D Holdings Incorporated (Financials, Insurance)

          324,400        2,946,584  

Teijin Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          229,500        3,761,362  

The Keiyo Bank Limited (Financials, Banks)

          224,300        1,082,747  

The Yokohama Rubber Company Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          172,900        2,621,458  

Toho Holdings Company Limited (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          63,000        1,260,192  

Tokuyama Corporation (Materials, Chemicals)

          137,800        3,307,499  

Toyo Ink SC Holding Company Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          75,000        1,452,045  

Toyota Boshoku Corporation (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          180,900        2,562,598  

UBE Industries Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          149,300        2,671,232  

ULVAC Incorporated (Information Technology, Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

          85,100        2,570,062  
             188,219,170  
          

 

 

 
Netherlands: 3.01%  

ABN AMRO Group NV (Financials, Banks) 144A

          161,500        1,285,012  

Aegon NV (Financials, Insurance)

          566,623        1,520,646  

ASR Nederland NV (Financials, Insurance)

          83,831        2,304,624  

ING Groep NV (Financials, Banks)

          282,500        1,836,703  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          449,900        11,406,731  

RHI Magnesita NV (Materials, Construction Materials)

          64,721        1,943,309  

Signify NV (Industrials, Electrical Equipment) 144A

          161,000        3,466,879  
             23,763,904  
          

 

 

 
Norway: 0.95%  

DNB ASA (Financials, Banks) †

          207,900        2,837,385  

Grieg Seafood ASA (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

          148,900        1,524,824  

Leroy Seafood Group ASA (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

          558,599        3,135,605  
             7,497,814  
          

 

 

 
Poland: 0.22%  

Asseco Poland SA (Information Technology, Software)

          93,400        1,703,373  
          

 

 

 
Russia: 1.27%  

Gazprom Neft ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          117,614        2,793,732  

Gazprom Neft ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          886        20,910  

Gazprom PAO ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          381,300        2,141,293  

Lukoil PJSC ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          17,599        1,325,029  

Lukoil PJSC ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          50,101        3,764,326  
             10,045,290  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Singapore: 0.48%  

DBS Group Holdings Limited (Financials, Banks)

          127,600      $ 1,765,281  

United Overseas Bank Limited (Financials, Banks)

          148,600        2,058,181  
             3,823,462  
          

 

 

 
South Africa: 0.16%  

Absa Group Limited (Financials, Banks)

          274,900        1,278,313  
          

 

 

 
South Korea: 2.22%  

BNK Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          440,300        1,812,535  

Industrial Bank of Korea (Financials, Banks)

          264,500        1,776,531  

JB Financial Group Company Limited (Financials, Banks)

          25,418        97,871  

KB Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          79,300        2,164,184  

KT&G Corporation (Consumer Staples, Tobacco)

          52,100        3,535,940  

LG Uplus Corporation (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          343,500        3,658,376  

SK Telecom Company Limited (Communication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          14,800        2,584,843  

Woori Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          254,400        1,877,264  
             17,507,544  
          

 

 

 
Spain: 1.33%  

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA (Financials, Banks)

          731,000        1,671,297  

Enagás SA (Utilities, Gas Utilities)

          121,100        2,729,560  

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (Industrials, Airlines)

          548,044        1,559,852  

Repsol SA (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          482,100        4,539,007  
             10,499,716  
          

 

 

 
Sweden: 1.76%  

Boliden AB (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          155,500        3,397,889  

Electrolux AB Class B (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          122,900        2,026,359  

Electrolux Professional AB Class B (Industrials, Machinery) †

          122,900        444,903  

Volvo AB Class B (Industrials, Machinery) †

          563,800        8,045,074  
             13,914,225  
          

 

 

 
Switzerland: 8.91%  

Baloise Holding AG (Financials, Insurance)

          30,400        4,350,100  

Credit Suisse Group AG (Financials, Capital Markets)

          452,200        4,155,936  

Helvetia Holding AG (Financials, Insurance)

          21,500        1,916,461  

Novartis AG (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          192,040        16,718,214  

Roche Holding AG (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          75,400        26,172,963  

Swiss Life Holding AG (Financials, Insurance)

          7,600        2,693,886  

Swiss Reinsurance AG (Financials, Insurance)

          62,800        4,288,706  

UBS Group AG (Financials, Capital Markets)

          424,002        4,539,203  

Valiant Holding AG (Financials, Banks)

          17,400        1,551,662  

Zurich Insurance Group AG (Financials, Insurance)

          12,400        4,012,660  
             70,399,791  
          

 

 

 
Taiwan: 1.82%  

Catcher Technology Company Limited (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          217,000        1,581,478  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          1,042,000        2,636,148  

Powertech Technology Incorporated (Information Technology, Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

          1,067,000        3,455,636  

Tripod Technology Corporation (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          823,000        3,094,809  

Wistron Corporation (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          3,768,000        3,592,356  
             14,360,427  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Thailand: 0.57%  

Krung Thai Bank PCL ADR (Financials, Banks)

          3,618,100      $ 1,171,532  

Quality House PCL (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          24,369,400        1,654,760  

Thanachart Capital PCL (Financials, Banks)

          1,481,500        1,699,929  
             4,526,221  
          

 

 

 
Turkey: 0.52%  

Coca-Cola Icecek Uretim AS (Consumer Staples, Beverages)

          83,461        495,432  

Koc Holding AS (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          857,500        2,027,428  

TAV Havalimanlari Holding AS (Industrials, Transportation Infrastructure)

          520,000        1,552,094  
             4,074,954  
          

 

 

 
United Kingdom: 14.20%                           

3i Group plc (Financials, Capital Markets)

          265,500        2,716,982  

Anglo American plc (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          273,400        5,787,613  

Aviva plc (Financials, Insurance)

          704,391        2,172,717  

Babcock International Group plc (Industrials, Commercial Services & Supplies)

          516,789        2,451,777  

BAE Systems plc (Industrials, Aerospace & Defense)

          973,900        6,010,736  

Barclays plc (Financials, Banks)

          1,661,400        2,375,050  

Barratt Developments plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          329,100        2,035,682  

Bellway plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          80,100        2,556,933  

Bovis Homes Group plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          195,500        1,857,505  

BP plc (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          1,371,200        5,243,384  

British American Tobacco plc (Consumer Staples, Tobacco)

          221,400        8,780,814  

BT Group plc (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          1,544,700        2,223,938  

Centrica plc (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          1,821,200        826,234  

Crest Nicholson Holdings plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          345,400        1,136,285  

Firstgroup plc (Industrials, Road & Rail) †

          802,300        552,913  

GlaxoSmithKline plc (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          595,100        12,326,131  

Highland Gold Mining Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          1,280,734        4,071,132  

Imperial Tobacco Group plc (Consumer Staples, Tobacco)

          207,800        3,790,306  

Inchcape plc (Consumer Discretionary, Distributors)

          423,425        2,632,506  

J Sainsbury plc (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          1,688,805        4,049,474  

Kingfisher plc (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail)

          1,946,000        4,722,910  

Legal & General Group plc (Financials, Insurance)

          1,127,800        2,784,460  

Lloyds Banking Group plc (Financials, Banks)

          3,820,600        1,409,048  

Marks & Spencer Group plc (Consumer Discretionary, Multiline Retail)

          705,000        856,005  

Marston’s plc (Consumer Discretionary, Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure)

          660,700        506,714  

Mitchells & Butlers plc (Consumer Discretionary, Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure) †

          367,200        825,012  

Paragon Group of Companies plc (Financials, Thrifts & Mortgage Finance)

          501,100        2,193,446  

Petrofac Limited (Energy, Energy Equipment & Services)

          522,047        1,111,269  

Premier Foods plc (Consumer Staples, Food Products) †

          73,926        40,189  

QinetiQ Group plc (Industrials, Aerospace & Defense)

          556,400        2,042,269  

Redrow plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          420,064        2,444,603  

Royal Dutch Shell plc Class B (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          480,700        7,338,777  

Royal Mail plc (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics)

          539,626        1,164,142  

Tate & Lyle plc (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

          497,300        4,148,208  

Tesco plc (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          2,473,800        7,024,366  
             112,209,530  
          

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $913,359,536)

 

     768,783,896  
  

 

 

 
          

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

     Dividend yield                               Shares      Value  
Preferred Stocks: 0.21%  
Brazil: 0.21%  

Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul SA Class B (Financials, Banks)

    1.22        711,000      $ 1,670,809  
         

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $2,996,311)

 

     1,670,809  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 0.40%  
Investment Companies: 0.40%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12          3,130,999        3,130,999  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,130,999)

 

     3,130,999        
  

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $919,486,846)     97.90        773,585,704  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    2.10          16,607,475  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 790,193,179  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

144A

The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Shares,
beginning of
period
    Shares
purchased
   

Shares

sold

    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
   

Value,

end of

period

    % of
net
assets
 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

    64,602,214       205,570,256       (270,172,470     0     $ (339   $ (295     394,562 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    6,351,554       108,892,566       (112,113,121     3,130,999       0       0       99,898       3,130,999    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (339   $ (295   $ 494,460     $ 3,130,999       0.40
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $916,355,847)

  $ 770,454,705  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $3,130,999)

    3,130,999  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $10,600,118)

    10,073,524  

Receivable for dividends

    6,927,205  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    181,999  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    790,768,432  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    68,446  

Overdraft due to custodian bank

    1,002  

Advisory fee payable

    505,025  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    780  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    575,253  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 790,193,179  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $4,618,628)

  $ 31,220,678  

Income from affiliated securities

    735,201  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    31,955,879  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    7,967,121  

Custody and accounting fees

    194,813  

Professional fees

    60,500  

Shareholder report expenses

    2,632  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    20,553  

Interest expense

    745  

Other fees and expenses

    44,643  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    8,291,007  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (2,901
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    8,288,106  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    23,667,773  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized losses on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (20,032,001

Affiliated securities

    (339
 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (20,032,340
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (56,686,019

Affiliated securities

    (295
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (56,686,314
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (76,718,654
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (53,050,881
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
       Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 23,667,773        $ 40,210,852  

Net realized losses on investments

    (20,032,340        (6,397,492

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (56,686,314        (155,017,981
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (53,050,881        (121,204,621
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    111,076,835          527,916,476  

Withdrawals

    (336,573,528        (237,901,170
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (225,496,693        290,015,306  
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (278,547,574        168,810,685  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    1,068,740,753          899,930,068  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 790,193,179        $ 1,068,740,753  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return

    (8.99 )%      (10.98 )%      7.74     19.16     (11.85 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.80     0.80     0.82     0.87     0.91

Net expenses

    0.80     0.80     0.82     0.87     0.91

Net investment income

    2.28     3.53     2.65     3.03     2.50

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    20     13     15     41     14

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

The values of securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”)

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign securities are traded, but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, then fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio are applied. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Foreign securities that are fair valued under these procedures are categorized as Level 2 and the application of these procedures may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in net asset values that are higher or lower than net asset values based on the last reported sales price or latest quoted bid price. On May 31, 2020, such fair value pricing was used in pricing certain foreign securities.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Portfolio are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the custodian verifies the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $923,416,316 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 70,138,564  

Gross unrealized losses

     (219,969,176

Net unrealized losses

   $ (149,830,612

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

        

Investments in:

        

Common stocks

        

Australia

   $ 0      $ 37,590,361      $ 0      $ 37,590,361  

Austria

     0        5,623,154        0        5,623,154  

Belgium

     0        4,356,224        0        4,356,224  

Brazil

     6,633,824        0        0        6,633,824  

Canada

     7,395,250        0        0        7,395,250  

China

     0        24,690,526        0        24,690,526  

Denmark

     0        8,015,619        0        8,015,619  

Finland

     0        1,387,368        0        1,387,368  

France

     0        63,149,680        0        63,149,680  

Germany

     0        67,721,214        0        67,721,214  

Hong Kong

     0        25,879,455        0        25,879,455  

India

     0        3,497,942        0        3,497,942  

Ireland

     0        4,900,685        0        4,900,685  

Israel

     0        2,569,363        0        2,569,363  

Italy

     0        21,549,497        0        21,549,497  

Japan

     0        188,219,170        0        188,219,170  

Netherlands

     0        23,763,904        0        23,763,904  

Norway

     0        7,497,814        0        7,497,814  

Poland

     0        1,703,373        0        1,703,373  

Russia

     1,345,939        8,699,351        0        10,045,290  

Singapore

     0        3,823,462        0        3,823,462  

South Africa

     0        1,278,313        0        1,278,313  

South Korea

     0        17,507,544        0        17,507,544  

Spain

     0        10,499,716        0        10,499,716  

Sweden

     444,903        13,469,322        0        13,914,225  

Switzerland

     0        70,399,791        0        70,399,791  

Taiwan

     0        14,360,427        0        14,360,427  

Thailand

     4,526,221        0        0        4,526,221  

Turkey

     0        4,074,954        0        4,074,954  

United Kingdom

     506,714        111,702,816        0        112,209,530  

Preferred stocks

        

Brazil

     1,670,809        0        0        1,670,809  

Short-term investments

        

Investment companies

     3,130,999        0        0        3,130,999  

Total assets

   $ 25,654,659      $ 747,931,045      $ 0      $ 773,585,704  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Next $2 billion

     0.675  

Over $4 billion

     0.650  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.77% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. LSV Asset Management, which is not an affiliate of the Funds Management, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.35% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Interfund transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $197,842,404 and $386,175,637, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

During the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio had average borrowings outstanding of $23,354 at an average rate of 3.19% and paid interest in the amount of $745.

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of geographic regions. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio invested a concentration of its portfolio in Europe. A Portfolio that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any geographic region may be more affected by changes in that geographic region than would be a Portfolio whose investments are not heavily weighted in any geographic region.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $30,790,214 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

Pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund expects to designate amounts as foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. Additional details will be available in the semiannual report.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

 

Trustee,

since 2018

  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi (Born 1975)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo International Value Fund and Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo International Value Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with LSV Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

is a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than or in range of the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net), for all periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net), for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for all share classes.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management, advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

 

 

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The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were lower than, equal to or in range of the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes, except for Class A. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the net operating expense ratio caps for all classes of the Gateway Fund were reduced in 2019, and that they would be maintained.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was in range of the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. The Master Trust Board considered these amounts in comparison to the median amount retained by advisers to funds in a sub-advised expense universe that was determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Master Portfolio. The Board noted the small size of the sub-advised expense universe. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. The Master Trust Board also considered that the sub-advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arm’s length basis.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund. The Boards did not consider profitability with respect to the Sub-Adviser, as the sub-advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arm’s-length basis.

Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management, the Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and its affiliate from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management, the Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report, except that certain securities held by the Portfolio were subject to extended foreign market holiday closures, which caused the Portfolio to reclassify such securities as illiquid temporarily and resulted in the Portfolio temporarily breaching its 15% limit on illiquid investments. This breach was anticipated in advance and communicated to the Board prior to the closure. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  53


Table of Contents

Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.

 

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00319 07-20

A284/AR284 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  
Portfolio of investments   11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   20
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   24
Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio  
Portfolio of investments   25
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   28
Statement of operations   29
Statement of changes in net assets   30
Financial highlights   31
Notes to financial statements   32
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   36
Other information   37
Appendix I   46
Appendix II   47
Appendix III   49
Appendix IV   50

 

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Cooke & Bieler, L.P.

Portfolio managers

Andrew B. Armstrong, CFA®

Wesley Lim, CFA® *

Steve Lyons, CFA®

Michael M. Meyer, CFA®

Edward W. O’Connor, CFA®

R. James O’Neil, CFA®

Mehul Trivedi, CFA®

William Weber, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (CBEAX)   7-26-2004     -9.13       3.00       8.52       -3.61       4.24       9.16       1.23       1.08  
                   
Class C (CBECX)   7-26-2004     -5.41       3.44       8.34       -4.41       3.44       8.34       1.98       1.83  
                   
Class R6 (CBEJX)4   10-31-2016                       -3.25       4.64       9.55       0.80       0.65  
                   
Administrator Class (CBLLX)   7-26-2004                       -3.56       4.36       9.33       1.15       1.00  
                   
Institutional Class (CBLSX)   7-26-2004                       -3.33       4.60       9.59       0.90       0.75  
                   
Russell 1000® Value Index5                         -1.64       4.36       9.85              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20206

LOGO

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

*

Mr. Lim became a portfolio manager of the Fund on August 1, 2019.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.08% for Class A, 1.83% for Class C, 0.65% for Class R6, 1.00% for Administrator Class, and 0.75% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to the Class R6 shares. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 1000® Value Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

7 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

8 

Amounts represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index, for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Stock selection in consumer discretionary and information technology (IT) as well as an overweight in financials detracted from relative performance.

 

 

Stock selection in financials and materials and an underweight position in energy were key contributors to relative performance.

Volatility spiked in 2020 after a respite last calendar year.

After a very strong 2019, the scale and speed of the first quarter’s equity market rout were unprecedented, marked by the fastest bear market descent in U.S. history. The wholesale sell-off was staggering and unforeseen, but with no historical analog for the unfolding coronavirus pandemic and economic landscape, it was in many respects understandable. Volatility spiked meaningfully following a respite in 2019. Treasury yields plunged, growth again outperformed value, and larger-capitalization issues beat their smaller counterparts. Against this backdrop, the Russell 1000® Value Index had its worst quarterly result since inception. Performance was broadly negative across index constituents, ranging from bad in the utilities and consumer staples sectors to atrocious in energy, where freefalling demand converged with free-flowing supply. April and May showed some rebounds in the stock market, but unemployment and uncertainty are still highly elevated, making it difficult to ascertain when the economy may truly bounce back.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20207  
   

Arrow Electronics Incorporated

     3.46  
   

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

     3.10  
   

AerCap Holdings NV

     3.08  
   

Chubb Limited

     2.97  
   

Johnson & Johnson

     2.88  
   

TE Connectivity Limited

     2.86  
   

State Street Corporation

     2.84  
   

The Charles Schwab Corporation

     2.82  
   

Colfax Corporation

     2.75  
   

Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated Class A

     2.72  

We found a variety of compelling opportunities.

We continue to find compelling opportunities for the Fund as market disruptions create pockets of valuation weakness despite strong fundamentals. We initiated positions across multiple industries, including three financial companies (Alleghany Corporation, Charles Schwab Corporation, and U.S. Bancorp), two industrials companies (Hexcel Corporation and Woodward, Incorporated), one health care company (HCA Healthcare), and video game developer (Activision Blizzard).

Making room for these holdings, we eliminated positions across multiple sectors, including two information

 

technology companies (Alliance Data Systems and Applied Materials), two health care companies (Cardinal Health and Allergan), Carnival Corporation within the consumer discretionary sector, Crown Holdings in materials, consumer staples firm Diageo, and World Fuel within energy.

Main detractors were in consumer discretionary.

The five largest detractors to the Fund were balanced across multiple sectors, though most relative underperformance came from consumer discretionary holdings. Carnival (CCL), a cruise operator, was the largest detractor. CCL severely underperformed as the cruise industry was among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and we sold the stock during the period. Gildan (GIL), a basic apparel manufacturer, was the second-largest detractor. GIL saw an industry-wide pullback in end-user demand that has deteriorated further due to the coronavirus. Synchrony Financial (SYF), a private-label credit card provider, was the third-largest detractor due to concerns that private label cards may be under stress due to the economic environment caused by the coronavirus. Hexcel and Omnicom Group were the fourth and fifth largest detractors, respectively. From a positioning standpoint, the Fund’s overweight to financials and underweight to consumer staples and utilities were headwinds.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Sector allocation as of May 31, 20208
LOGO

Top contributors were led by Colfax and Allergan.

Colfax, an acquisitive conglomerate with strong welding and orthopedic franchises, was the largest contributor for the period. A 2018 detractor, the company recovered significantly in 2019 and beyond due to strong fundamental performance and successful integration of a recent acquisition. Allergan (AGN), a manufacturer of specialty pharmaceuticals, was the second-largest contributor. AGN was eliminated prior to the market’s coronavirus-related decline, locking in gains from the company’s pending sale to AbbVie. Activision Blizzard (ATVI), a video game developer, was the third-largest contributor. With the industry having largely transitioned from physical boxed copies to digital

 

game downloads and in-game microtransactions, ATVI was barely scathed by the coronavirus. Intercontinental Exchange and UnitedHealth Group were the fourth and fifth largest contributors, respectively. From a positioning standpoint, the Fund benefited significantly from its underweight to energy and also from a slight overweight to IT and underweight to real estate.

Coronavirus has created uncertain expectations.

Across the globe, the coronavirus pandemic has upended expectations of all types—personal, political, social, and economic—in an astoundingly short time. Government attempts to slow the spread of the virus have resulted in an unprecedented halt to economic activity, countered in part by equally unprecedented fiscal and monetary stimulus actions. What happens next will depend heavily on how quickly the disease is contained and vaccines or other effective therapies are developed. As long as the range of possible outcomes for both the disease and its economic impact remains wide, markets are likely to remain extremely volatile. However, now is not a time to reflexively seek safety or to rush blindly to call a bottom in the market. Now is the time for careful, disciplined analysis to uncover opportunities in the turmoil.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 818.04      $ 4.83        1.06

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.69      $ 5.36        1.06
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 814.22      $ 8.30        1.83

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.85      $ 9.22        1.83
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 819.43      $ 2.96        0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.75      $ 3.29        0.65
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 818.09      $ 4.47        0.98

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.08      $ 4.97        0.98
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 819.18      $ 3.41        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.25      $ 3.79        0.75

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.01%           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.01%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

           $ 215,139,314        
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $192,404,023)

             215,139,314  
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $192,404,023)     100.01        215,139,314  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.01        (19,953
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 215,119,361  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:    

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Net

change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    77     75   $ 14,162,746     $ (23,968,868   $ 5,145,611     $ 175,412     $ 215,139,314       100.01

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $192,404,023)

  $ 215,139,314  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    157,082  

Receivable from manager

    31,441  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    17,127  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    215,344,964  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    153,874  

Administration fees payable

    24,350  

Distribution fee payable

    2,173  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    16,162  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    16,161  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    783  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    12,100  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    225,603  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 215,119,361  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 189,071,490  

Total distributable earnings

    26,047,871  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 215,119,361  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 70,679,717  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    6,153,286  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $11.49  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $12.19  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 3,575,811  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    314,703  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $11.36  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 37,859,319  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    3,282,715  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $11.53  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 6,166,572  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    535,891  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $11.51  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 96,837,942  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    8,397,857  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $11.53  

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of ($325,762)

  $ 5,145,611  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    175,412  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (1,805,280

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    97,998  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    3,613,741  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    133,433  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    171,399  

Class C

    9,410  

Class R6

    16,648  

Administrator Class

    10,261  

Institutional Class

    152,591  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    204,046  

Class C

    11,203  

Administrator Class

    19,733  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    33,586  

Custody and accounting fees

    13,625  

Professional fees

    34,900  

Registration fees

    166,042  

Shareholder report expenses

    74,292  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    18,557  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,091,318  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (502,060

Class A

    (16,000

Administrator Class

    (1,196
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    572,062  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3,041,679  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    14,162,746  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (23,968,868
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (9,806,122
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (6,764,443
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 3,041,679       $ 3,494,425  

Net realized gains on investments

      14,162,746         22,450,835  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (23,968,868       (20,286,156
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (6,764,443       5,659,104  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (7,751,447       (5,854,644

Class C

      (388,806       (663,292

Class R6

      (5,218,989       (8,273,383

Administrator Class

      (711,108       (729,387

Institutional Class

      (11,583,308       (9,537,075
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (25,653,658       (25,057,781
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    738,336       9,862,221       598,330       7,944,833  

Class C

    84,359       1,159,805       153,872       1,981,780  

Class R6

    862,015       10,181,197       709,584       9,759,366  

Administrator Class

    86,612       1,194,613       63,073       881,388  

Institutional Class

    3,591,723       48,556,144       2,556,786       34,874,000  
 

 

 

 
      70,953,980         55,441,367  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    529,924       7,655,000       463,313       5,752,084  

Class C

    26,971       383,791       53,533       657,661  

Class R6

    47,617       691,796       40,613       506,108  

Administrator Class

    34,562       500,228       45,134       561,040  

Institutional Class

    792,083       11,497,247       755,134       9,401,667  
 

 

 

 
      20,728,062         16,878,560  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,199,143     (15,487,514     (1,139,570     (15,660,154

Class C

    (192,765     (2,559,135     (613,403     (8,120,776

Class R6

    (2,860,401     (39,194,686     (3,440,746     (46,779,401

Administrator Class

    (297,032     (3,913,331     (311,921     (4,389,568

Institutional Class

    (4,306,577     (53,511,682     (4,670,529     (62,677,183
 

 

 

 
      (114,666,348       (137,627,082
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (22,984,306       (65,307,155
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (55,402,407       (84,705,832
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      270,521,768         355,227,600  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 215,119,361       $ 270,521,768  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.01       $13.91       $14.54       $12.55       $13.07  

Net investment income

    0.12       0.11       0.09 1      0.08       0.11 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.33     0.02       0.87       2.23       (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.21     0.13       0.96       2.31       (0.03

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.13     (0.12     (0.06     (0.08     (0.10

Net realized gains

    (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.31     (1.03     (1.59     (0.32     (0.49

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.49       $13.01       $13.91       $14.54       $12.55  

Total return2

    (3.61 )%      1.33     6.29     18.62     (0.08 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.27     1.23     1.21     1.24     1.25

Net expenses3

    1.07     1.08     1.10     1.15     1.15

Net investment income3

    0.92     0.83     0.58     0.62     0.89

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $70,680       $79,172       $85,707       $83,016       $88,387  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.87       $13.75       $14.44       $12.48       $13.01  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.02 1      0.01 1      (0.02 )1      (0.02     0.01  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.35     0.03       0.86       2.22       (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.33     0.04       0.84       2.20       (0.13

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.01     0.00       0.00       (0.01

Net realized gains

    (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.18     (0.92     (1.53     (0.24     (0.40

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.36       $12.87       $13.75       $14.44       $12.48  

Total return2

    (4.41 )%      0.61     5.46     17.73     (0.82 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    2.02     1.97     1.96     1.99     2.00

Net expenses3

    1.83     1.83     1.85     1.90     1.90

Net investment income (loss) 3

    0.16     0.07     (0.16 )%      (0.13 )%      0.11

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $3,576       $5,098       $11,031       $8,043       $7,282  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.06       $13.97       $14.59       $12.73  

Net investment income

    0.18 2      0.18 2      0.18 2      0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.33     0.00 3      0.85       2.06  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.15     0.18       1.03       2.22  

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

    (0.20     (0.18     (0.12     (0.12

Net realized gains

    (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.38     (1.09     (1.65     (0.36

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.53       $13.06       $13.97       $14.59  

Total return4

    (3.25 )%      1.74     6.76     17.65

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

       

Gross expenses5

    0.84     0.79     0.77     0.81

Net expenses5

    0.65     0.65     0.65     0.70

Net investment income5

    1.33     1.27     1.28     1.04

Supplemental data

       

Portfolio turnover rate6

    33     47     42     89

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $37,859       $68,366       $110,665       $3,532  

 

 

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of class operations) to March 31, 2017

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

4 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

5 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.68

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.03       $13.92       $14.56       $12.54       $13.07  

Net investment income

    0.13 1      0.12 1      0.10 1      0.10 1      0.13 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.33     0.02       0.87       2.24       (0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.20     0.14       0.97       2.34       (0.02

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.14     (0.12     (0.08     (0.08     (0.12

Net realized gains

    (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.32     (1.03     (1.61     (0.32     (0.51

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.51       $13.03       $13.92       $14.56       $12.54  

Total return

    (3.56 )%      1.44     6.36     18.82     0.11

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    1.19     1.15     1.13     1.16     1.16

Net expenses2

    0.99     1.00     1.00     1.00     0.98

Net investment income2

    1.00     0.90     0.69     0.77     1.03

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $6,167       $9,274       $12,742       $11,467       $23,210  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.05       $13.96       $14.58       $12.58       $13.11  

Net investment income

    0.16       0.14       0.13 1      0.14       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.33     0.02       0.89       2.22       (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.17     0.16       1.02       2.36       0.02  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.17     (0.16     (0.11     (0.12     (0.16

Net realized gains

    (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.35     (1.07     (1.64     (0.36     (0.55

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.53       $13.05       $13.96       $14.58       $12.58  

Total return

    (3.33 )%      1.64     6.68     19.05     0.33

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses2

    0.94     0.90     0.88     0.91     0.92

Net expenses2

    0.75     0.75     0.77     0.80     0.77

Net investment income2

    1.25     1.17     0.87     0.96     1.25

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate3

    33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $96,838       $108,613       $135,082       $220,257       $133,632  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 75% of Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $194,477,073 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 22,735,291  

Gross unrealized losses

     (2,073,,050

Net unrealized gains

   $ 20,662,241  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective   Value of
affiliated Master
Portfolio
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

   Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital
appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal
  $ 215,139,314  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.08% for Class A shares, 1.83% for Class C shares, 0.65% for Class R6 shares, 1.00% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.75% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $6,786 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $81,327,908 and $116,772,566, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 6,869,198      $ 8,378,114  

Long-term capital gain

     18,784,460        16,679,667  

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary

income

  

Undistributed

long-term

gain

  

Unrealized

gains

$2,222,295    $3,163,335    $20,662,241

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in the financials sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  23


Table of Contents

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31,2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 96.97%  

Communication Services: 5.37%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.95%  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

          97,700      $ 5,606,026  
          

 

 

 
Entertainment: 1.34%  

Activision Blizzard Incorporated

          53,400        3,843,732  
          

 

 

 
Media: 2.08%  

Omnicom Group Incorporated

          108,800        5,961,152  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Discretionary: 4.65%  
Household Durables: 1.84%  

Whirlpool Corporation

          43,200        5,262,624  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 2.81%  

Gildan Activewear Incorporated

          300,000        4,173,000  

HanesBrands Incorporated

          395,197        3,896,642  
             8,069,642  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 1.77%

 

Tobacco: 1.77%  

Philip Morris International Incorporated

          69,400        5,091,184  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 2.54%

 

Energy Equipment & Services: 0.95%  

Schlumberger Limited

          148,000        2,733,560  
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.59%  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          100,100        4,551,547  
          

 

 

 
Financials: 33.62%  
Banks: 7.74%  

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          75,000        7,298,250  

PNC Financial Services Group Incorporated

          65,400        7,458,216  

US Bancorp

          209,700        7,456,932  
             22,213,398  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 10.76%  

Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated Class A

          248,900        7,805,504  

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          70,200        6,826,950  

State Street Corporation

          133,600        8,144,256  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

          225,300        8,090,523  
             30,867,233  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 2.50%  

Synchrony Financial

          352,000        7,170,240  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 2.70%  

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B †

          41,800        7,757,244  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 9.92%  

Alleghany Corporation

          7,700        3,950,870  

Arch Capital Group Limited †

          226,150        6,381,953  

Chubb Limited

          69,800        8,511,412  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Insurance (continued)  

Fidelity National Financial Incorporated

          72,700      $ 2,319,130  

The Progressive Corporation

          93,800        7,286,384  
             28,449,749  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 14.76%

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 4.36%  

Becton Dickinson & Company

          25,000        6,173,250  

Medtronic plc

          64,400        6,348,552  
             12,521,802  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 7.52%  

HCA Healthcare Incorporated

          54,800        5,858,120  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings †

          38,910        6,821,701  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          29,200        8,901,620  
             21,581,441  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 2.88%  

Johnson & Johnson

          55,500        8,255,625  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 19.74%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.82%  

Hexcel Corporation

          65,300        2,363,207  
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 2.17%  

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          62,400        6,221,904  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 1.58%  

Johnson Controls International plc

          144,700        4,545,027  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 4.06%  

AMETEK Incorporated

          53,400        4,897,314  

Eaton Corporation plc

          79,400        6,741,060  
             11,638,374  
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 2.19%                           

3M Company

          40,100        6,273,244  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 5.84%  

Colfax Corporation †

          281,100        7,887,666  

Snap-on Incorporated

          45,900        5,952,771  

Woodward Incorporated

          42,400        2,907,792  
             16,748,229  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 3.08%  

AerCap Holdings NV †

          274,300        8,843,432  
          

 

 

 
Information Technology: 9.57%  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 6.32%  

Arrow Electronics Incorporated †

          143,600        9,919,888  

TE Connectivity Limited

          100,900        8,198,125  
             18,118,013  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                    Shares      Value  
IT Services: 3.25%

 

Amdocs Limited

 

       105,000      $ 6,537,300  

Leidos Holdings Incorporated

 

       26,500        2,790,185  
            9,327,485  
         

 

 

 
Materials: 3.15%  
Chemicals: 1.65%  

Axalta Coating Systems Limited †

 

       205,100        4,739,861  
         

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 1.50%  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

 

       44,300        4,297,100  
         

 

 

 
Real Estate: 1.80%  
Real Estate Management & Development: 1.80%  

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

 

       117,400        5,163,252  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $247,068,975)

 

     278,215,327  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 2.22%  
Investment Companies: 2.22%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12        6,370,055        6,370,055  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $6,370,055)

 

     6,370,055        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $253,439,030)     99.19        284,585,382  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.81          2,326,972  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 286,912,354  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Shares,
beginning of
period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

    0       44,301,104       (44,301,104     0     $ 2     $ 0     $ 20,349 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    11,857,445       131,459,327       (136,946,717     6,370,055       0       0       222,709       6,370,055    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 2       0     $ 243,058     $ 6,370,055       2.22
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $247,068,975)

  $ 278,215,327  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $6,370,055)

    6,370,055  

Cash

    43,471  

Receivable for investments sold

    1,857,493  

Receivable for dividends

    532,955  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    34,255  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    287,053,556  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Advisory fee payable

    140,389  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    813  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    141,202  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 286,912,354  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $429,660)

  $ 6,647,149  

Income from affiliated securities

    225,696  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    6,872,845  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    2,238,948  

Custody and accounting fees

    17,542  

Professional fees

    40,019  

Shareholder report expenses

    5,056  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    20,186  

Other fees and expenses

    9,053  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,330,804  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (126,647
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,204,157  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    4,668,688  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on:

 

Unaffiliated securities

    14,608,305  

Affiliated securities

    2  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    14,608,307  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (25,082,549
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (10,474,242
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (5,805,554
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

 

Net investment income

  $ 4,668,688     $ 5,213,964  

Net realized gains on investments

    14,608,307       23,339,628  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (25,082,549     (19,832,017
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (5,805,554     8,721,575  
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

   

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

 

Contributions

    41,745,884       105,704,905  

Withdrawals

    (99,923,052     (145,734,521
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (58,177,168     (40,029,616
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

    (63,982,722     (31,308,041
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

    350,895,076       382,203,117  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 286,912,354     $ 350,895,076  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return

    (3.40 )%      1.80     6.65     19.17     0.35

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.68     0.67     0.67     0.68     0.68

Net expenses

    0.64     0.65     0.66     0.68     0.68

Net investment income

    1.36     1.27     1.02     1.09     1.33

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    33     47     42     89     29

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio  |  31


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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $258,023,122 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 58,132,907  

Gross unrealized losses

     (31,570,647

Net unrealized gains

   $ 26,562,260  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 15,410,910      $ 0      $ 0      $ 15,410,910  

Consumer discretionary

     13,332,266        0        0        13,332,266  

Consumer staples

     5,091,184        0        0        5,091,184  

Energy

     7,285,107        0        0        7,285,107  

Financials

     96,457,864        0        0        96,457,864  

Health care

     42,358,868        0        0        42,358,868  

Industrials

     56,633,417        0        0        56,633,417  

Information technology

     27,445,498        0        0        27,445,498  

Materials

     9,036,961        0        0        9,036,961  

Real estate

     5,163,252        0        0        5,163,252  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     6,370,055        0        0        6,370,055  

Total assets

   $ 284,585,382      $ 0      $ 0      $ 284,585,382  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.650

Next $500 million

     0.625  

Next $1 billion

     0.600  

Next $2 billion

     0.575  

Next $4 billion

     0.550  

Next $4 billion

     0.525  

Next $4 billion

     0.500  

Over $16 billion

     0.475  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.65% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Cooke & Bieler, L.P., which is not an affiliate of Funds Management, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.38% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Funds Management has voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed advisory fees to reduce the net operating expense ratio of the Portfolio.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $108,459,867 and $155,729,286, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio invested a concentration of its portfolio in the financials sector. A Portfolio that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a portfolio whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 62.59% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $18,784,460 was designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $5,657,756 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $123,486 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, $3,658,429 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment
company
directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Nancy Wiser1

(Born 1967)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund and Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Cooke & Bieler L.P. (the “Sub-Adviser”) for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management is a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund Investment Performance and Expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Boards also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than or in range of its benchmark index, the Russell 1000® Value Index, for all periods ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was in range of its benchmark index, the Russell 1000® Value Index, for the five-year period ended March 31, 2020, and lower than its benchmark index for the one-, three- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Gateway Fund relative to its benchmark index for the periods identified above. The Funds Trust Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Gateway Fund’s investment performance. The Board also took note of the Gateway Fund’s outperformance relative to the Universe.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for each share class.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment Management, Advisory and Sub-Advisory Fee Rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were in range of the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for each share class.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was in range of the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. The Master Trust Board considered these amounts in comparison to the median amount retained by advisers to funds in a sub-advised expense universe that was determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Master Portfolio. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. The Master Trust Board also considered that the sub-advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arm’s length basis.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund. The Boards did not consider profitability with respect to the Sub-Adviser, as the sub-advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arm’s-length basis.

Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Economies of Scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other Benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management, the Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and its affiliate from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management, the Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00250 07-20

A280/AR280 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights   6
Fund expenses   10
Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  

Portfolio of investments

  11
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   12
Statement of operations   13
Statement of changes in net assets   14
Financial highlights   15
Notes to financial statements   20
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   24
Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio  

Portfolio of investments

  25
Financial statements  
Statement of assets and liabilities   30
Statement of operations   31
Statement of changes in net assets   32
Financial highlights   33
Notes to financial statements   34
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   38
Other information   39
Appendix I   48
Appendix II   49
Appendix III   51
Appendix IV   52

 

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  1


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieving widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc, with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index , a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective    

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.    

Manager    

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC    

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1    

Wells Capital Management Incorporated    

Portfolio managers    

Joseph M. Eberhardy, CFA® , CPA    

Thomas C. Ognar, CFA®     

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (WEMAX)   3-31-2008     8.36       8.43       13.24       14.97       9.72       13.91       1.55       1.28  
                   
Class C (WEMCX)   3-31-2008     13.16       8.91       13.06       14.16       8.91       13.06       2.30       2.03  
                   
Class R6 (WEGRX)4   7-31-2018                       15.51       10.25       14.47       1.12       0.85  
                   
Administrator Class (WFGDX)   1-31-2007                       15.07       9.86       14.08       1.47       1.20  
                   
Institutional Class (WEMIX)   3-31-2008                       15.40       10.19       14.44       1.22       0.90  
                   
Russell 2000® Growth Index5                         7.32       6.34       11.72              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20206

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.20% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.28% for Class A, 2.03% for Class C, 0.85% for Class R6, 1.20% for Administrator Class, and 0.90% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 2000® Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

7 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the securities of the affiliated master portfolio allocable to the Fund divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

9 

Amounts represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio which are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

* 

This security was no longer held at the end of the period.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION    

Fund highlights    

 

The Fund outperformed the Russell 2000® Growth Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Relative performance contributions came from software stocks within information technology (IT), industrials, and specialty insurance stocks within financials.

 

 

Detractors in the Fund mainly stemmed from stocks within the health care sector.

Equity markets demonstrated strong consistency and low volatility during the period.

For much of the 12-month period, stocks were largely impervious to tariffs on Chinese goods and other geopolitical events. However, in the first quarter of 2020, the spread of the coronavirus pandemic crippled the global economy, sending U.S. equities into a laconic bear market. The unprecedented spread of the coronavirus prompted global central banks to quickly inject massive liquidity into the markets. On the fiscal side, the U.S. government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and other stimulative measures to support the economy. The Russell 2000® Index7 set a record for the quickest descent into bear market territory while most commodities were decimated as expectations for global demand waned. A key advantage of our diversified approach is that it allows us to take advantage of dislocations in the market as the underappreciated gap widens. We have been through these periods before and we will rely on our experience as a guide for the current market.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 20208  
   

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A

     3.30  
   

Q2 Holdings Incorporated

     3.03  
   

Envestnet Incorporated

     2.96  
   

Kinsale Capital Group Incorporated

     2.93  
   

ASGN Incorporated

     2.92  
   

Rexnord Corporation

     2.61  
   

Rapid7 Incorporated

     2.53  
   

Mercury Computer Systems Incorporated

     2.53  
   

Novanta Incorporated

     2.37  
   

SPS Commerce Incorporated

     2.17  

IT contributed while health care detracted.

Notable strength from the IT sector, particularly within the software-as-a-service area, aided relative performance as companies such as Five9, Incorporated, witnessed an increase demand for their unique offering, a mobility infrastructure that makes it easier for agents to work remotely through the disruptions presented by the coronavirus. Select stocks within the financials sector contributed, such as Kinsale Capital Group, provider of excess and supply insurance. Kinsale rallied sharply after reporting a strong increase in submissions and net premium earned metrics throughout the period. Elsewhere within the portfolio, iRhythm Technologies, Incorporated, was rewarded for its innovative Zio patch system, which detects symptomatic arrhythmia.

 

 

Sector allocation as of May 31, 20209
LOGO

Weakness in the portfolio came mainly from stocks within the health care sector. Medical devices holding Merit Medical Systems, Incorporated*, maker of more than 200 devices, fell sharply after it delivered disappointing results that fell short of expectations on revenue and earnings per share, citing slowness from its higher-margin products. Other weakness came from LendingTree, Incorporated, which fell sharply in the first quarter of 2020 as credit card, personal loan, and small business lenders spent less on their platform amid the economic slowdown. Other detractors included Talend SA, one of the few publicly listed pure-play data integration companies, which reported a deceleration in

 

operating margins coupled with weaker fiscal year guidance. Further share pressure prevailed after its cloud solutions partner, Cloudera, delivered poor earnings metrics, sending Talend shares down in sympathy with the group.

Although our companies are certainly susceptible to changes in the economic cycle, many of the stocks we own are exhibiting strong relevance in the current environment. Some of their secular attributes can be personified in our SCODIi acronym, which stands for SaaS, cloud services, online retail, digital payments, the internet of things, and innovation. For instance, within SaaS

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

(software as a service), companies that offer critical event management capabilities are helping people function through multiple verticals within the work environment. In cloud computing, workload usage has spiked both at the enterprise and individual levels as more people are vying for storage and bandwidth. While overall consumer spending has decelerated, online purchases through e-commerce sites have risen sharply, enabling payment processors to benefit from increased digital transactions. The internet of things within the semiconductor industry has played an essential role as cloud service usage from areas like gaming has been supported by more powerful underlying chip hardware. Lastly, within innovation, diagnostics companies have changed their testing methods by setting up mobile stations for patients who would otherwise be unable to receive their services.

The market volatility in early 2020 enabled us to opportunistically add to positions in stocks with strong secular drivers whose absolute and relative valuations were trading at attractive levels. Volatility tends to add fear and uncertainty to the investor psyche, which may prompt investors to capitulate into cash. We caution that market timing has proven to be a very costly proposition for growth investors, as those who miss the best days in the market have significantly underperformed those who remain fully invested. We remain comfortable with our positioning and maintain a diversified portfolio that we believe will be successful in a panoply of outcomes. We have a history of navigating through turbulent markets and subsequently emerging with strong performance in ensuing years. We do not believe that now is the time to panic and we are allowing our investment process to guide our decisions in an effort to position our portfolios to thrive over the long term.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.    

Actual expenses    

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.    

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes    

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.    

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.    

 

     Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,063.12      $ 6.45        1.25

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.75      $ 6.31        1.25
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,059.26      $ 10.45        2.03

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,014.85      $ 10.22        2.03
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,065.43      $ 4.39        0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.75      $ 4.29        0.85
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,063.46      $ 6.19        1.20

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.00      $ 6.06        1.20
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,065.61      $ 4.65        0.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.50      $ 4.55        0.90

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.    

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).    

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 99.98%           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 99.98%                           

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

           $ 662,550,823  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $440,135,785)

             662,550,823  
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $440,135,785)     99.98        662,550,823  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.02          133,838  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 662,684,661  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Securities
lending
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    91     92   $ 87,082,930     $ 4,916,772     $ 702,756     $ 514,387     $ 134,927     $ 662,550,823       99.98

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $440,135,785)

  $ 662,550,823  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,081,905  

Receivable from manager

    38,230  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    27,304  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    663,698,262  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    804,461  

Administration fees payable

    78,333  

Distribution fee payable

    939  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    66,042  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    759  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    63,067  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,013,601  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 662,684,661  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 378,619,222  

Total distributable earnings

    284,065,439  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 662,684,661  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 148,866,069  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    10,118,794  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $14.71  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $15.61  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 1,598,660  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    128,961  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $12.40  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 19,457,920  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    1,191,113  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $16.34  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 21,250,433  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,388,171  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $15.31  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 471,511,579  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    28,949,518  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $16.29  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


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Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

  $ 702,756  

Securities lending income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    514,387  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    134,927  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (5,806,254
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    (4,454,184
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    358,481  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    297,569  

Class C

    3,294  

Class R6

    2,810  

Administrator Class

    28,175  

Institutional Class

    705,448  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    354,249  

Class C

    3,921  

Administrator Class

    54,171  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    11,760  

Custody and accounting fees

    27,952  

Professional fees

    31,490  

Registration fees

    73,735  

Shareholder report expenses

    86,621  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,592  

Other fees and expenses

    15,828  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,077,096  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (525,443

Class A

    (40,554

Administrator Class

    (12

Institutional Class

    (269,023
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,242,064  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (5,696,248
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    87,082,930  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    4,916,772  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    91,999,702  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 86,303,454  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

    $ (5,696,248     $ (6,103,434

Net realized gains on investments

      87,082,930         97,676,529  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      4,916,772         (97,747,120
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      86,303,454         (6,174,025
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (7,796,239       (28,101,143

Class C

      (97,557       (901,234

Class R6

      (245,756       (42,849 )1 

Administrator Class

      (1,143,908       (8,840,125

Institutional Class

      (28,466,003       (102,793,991
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (37,749,463       (140,679,342
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    270,025       3,503,910       862,093       13,135,712  

Class C

    14,056       158,468       77,032       1,001,064  

Class R6

    1,351,041       21,252,448       14,756 1      297,716 1 

Administrator Class

    185,559       2,546,018       429,821       7,044,106  

Institutional Class

    7,701,460       113,827,845       9,474,160       157,333,266  
 

 

 

 
      141,288,689         178,811,864  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    556,631       7,609,147       2,156,211       27,319,193  

Class C

    8,439       97,557       82,682       901,234  

Class R6

    16,154       244,735       2,781 1      38,603 1 

Administrator Class

    80,016       1,137,821       670,663       8,812,510  

Institutional Class

    1,832,144       27,683,692       7,302,150       101,353,848  
 

 

 

 
      36,772,952         138,425,388  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,506,830     (19,951,780     (1,230,646     (18,738,814

Class C

    (45,564     (513,234     (283,432     (3,327,781

Class R6

    (177,590     (2,654,701     (16,029 )1      (224,477 )1 

Administrator Class

    (557,050     (7,634,612     (2,404,440     (34,455,016

Institutional Class

    (19,569,429     (282,480,504     (10,946,323     (181,113,056
 

 

 

 
      (313,234,831       (237,859,144
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (135,173,190       79,378,108  
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (86,619,199       (67,475,259
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      749,303,860         816,779,119  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 662,684,661       $ 749,303,860  
 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.51       $17.04       $14.57       $12.55       $16.70  

Net investment loss

    (0.17     (0.16 )1      (0.15     (0.10 )1      (0.13 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.13       (0.19     4.57       2.96       (2.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.96       (0.35     4.42       2.86       (2.41

Distributions to shareholders from

 

Net realized gains

    (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.71       $13.51       $17.04       $14.57       $12.55  

Total return2

    14.97     (0.84 )%      32.91     23.39     (14.94 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

Gross expenses3

    1.36     1.35     1.36     1.36     1.35

Net expenses3

    1.27     1.29     1.35     1.35     1.35

Net investment loss3

    (1.08 )%      (1.06 )%      (1.01 )%      (0.72 )%      (0.92 )% 

Supplemental data

 

Portfolio turnover rate4

    55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $148,866       $145,898       $153,526       $129,724       $127,154  

 

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.58       $15.19       $13.28       $11.58       $15.67  

Net investment loss

    (0.21 )1       (0.25 )1      (0.25 )1      (0.19 )1      (0.21

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.79       (0.18     4.11       2.73       (2.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.58       (0.43     3.86       2.54       (2.35

Distributions to shareholders from

 

Net realized gains

    (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $12.40       $11.58       $15.19       $13.28       $11.58  

Total return2

    14.16     (1.55 )%      31.82     22.56     (15.59 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

Gross expenses3

    2.11     2.10     2.11     2.11     2.10

Net expenses3

    2.03     2.04     2.10     2.10     2.10

Net investment loss3

    (1.84 )%      (1.78 )%      (1.76 )%      (1.46 )%      (1.70 )% 

Supplemental data

 

Portfolio turnover rate4

    55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,599       $1,761       $4,190       $3,328       $3,815  

 

 

 

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

     Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6    2020     20191  

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $14.86       $18.70  

Net investment loss

     (0.10 )2       (0.07 )2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

     2.34       (0.59
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     2.24       (0.66

Distributions to shareholders from

 

Net realized gains

     (0.76     (3.18

Net asset value, end of period

     $16.34       $14.86  

Total return3

     15.51     (2.35 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

Gross expenses4

     0.93     0.92

Net expenses4

     0.85     0.85

Net investment loss4

     (0.67 )%      (0.51 )% 

Supplemental data

 

Portfolio turnover rate5

     55     71

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

     $19,458       $22  

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 20191

    0.81

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020    

2019

   

2018

    2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.02       $17.54       $14.93       $12.82       $17.00  

Net investment loss

    (0.14 )1       (0.15 )1       (0.14 )1       (0.07 )1       (0.12 )1  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.19       (0.19     4.70       3.02       (2.32
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.05       (0.34     4.56       2.95       (2.44

Distributions to shareholders from

 

Net realized gains

    (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.31       $14.02       $17.54       $14.93       $12.82  

Total return

    15.07     (0.75 )%      33.06     23.60     (14.80 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

Gross expenses2

    1.28     1.27     1.28     1.26     1.23

Net expenses2

    1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20

Net investment loss2

    (1.01 )%      (0.94 )%      (0.86 )%      (0.48 )%      (0.80 )% 

Supplemental data

 

Portfolio turnover rate3

    55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $21,250       $23,549       $52,335       $50,865       $99,792  

 

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.83       $18.30       $15.46       $13.20       $17.40  

Net investment loss

    (0.11 )1       (0.13     (0.09     (0.04 )1       (0.07

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.33       (0.16     4.88       3.14       (2.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.22       (0.29     4.79       3.10       (2.46

Distributions to shareholders from

 

Net realized gains

    (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.29       $14.83       $18.30       $15.46       $13.20  

Total return

    15.40     (0.42 )%      33.44     24.08     (14.62 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

Gross expenses2

    1.03     1.02     1.03     1.03     1.01

Net expenses2

    0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90

Net investment loss2

    (0.71 )%      (0.67 )%      (0.56 )%      (0.24 )%      (0.50 )% 

Supplemental data

 

Portfolio turnover rate3

    55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $471,512       $578,073       $606,729       $534,846       $583,843  

 

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of May 31, 2020, the Fund owned 92% of Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the year ended May 31, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $442,845,434 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 222,415,038  

Gross unrealized losses

     (2,709,649

Net unrealized gains

   $ 219,705,389  

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The primary permanent difference causing such reclassification is due to net operating losses. At May 31, 2020, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Paid-in-capital    Total distributable earnings
$(5,706,524)    $5,706,524

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss of $2,330,946 which will be recognized on the first day of the following fiscal year.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At May 31, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio
 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation    $ 662,550,823  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense cap. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap each Fund’s expenses at 1.28% for Class A shares, 2.03% for Class C shares, 0.85% for Class R6 shares, 1.20% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.90% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received $369 from the sale of Class A shares and $7 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $392,467,019 and $551,777,325, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


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Notes to financial statements

 

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019  

Ordinary income

   $ 0      $ 14,567,564  

Long-term capital gain

     37,749,463        126,111,778  

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
   Late-year
ordinary losses
deferred
$66,690,996    $219,705,389    $(2,330,946)

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in the health care and information technology sectors.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. REDEMPTION IN-KIND

After the close of business on March 31, 2020, the Fund redeemed assets through an in-kind redemption. In the redemption transaction, the Fund transferred securities with a value of $32,967,178 and cash in the amount of $95,186. The Fund recognized losses in the amount of $7,498,217 which is reflected on the Statement of Operations. The redemption in-kind by a shareholder of the Institutional Class represented 5.89% of the Fund and is reflected on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Fund and the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  23


Table of Contents

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund (the Fund), one of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the transfer agent. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 98.26%

 

Communication Services: 0.49%

 

Media: 0.49%  

Cardlytics Incorporated †

          52,220      $ 3,555,660  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 10.35%

 

Auto Components: 0.38%  

Fox Factory Holding Corporation †

          38,110        2,748,112  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 1.11%  

Chegg Incorporated †

          131,024        8,002,946  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.49%  

GAN Limited †

          203,571        4,456,169  

Wingstop Incorporated

          111,138        13,553,279  
             18,009,448  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.41%  

Purple Innovation Incorporated †

          206,553        2,961,970  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 0.85%  

Fiverr International Limited †

          94,720        6,168,166  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 1.01%  

YETI Holdings Incorporated †

          227,967        7,317,741  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.35%  

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Incorporated †

          28,100        2,569,745  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 2.20%  

Boot Barn Holdings Incorporated †

          358,030        7,690,484  

Five Below Incorporated †

          13,147        1,375,834  

Lithia Motors Incorporated Class A

          56,590        6,824,188  
             15,890,506  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 1.55%  

Crocs Incorporated †

          202,980        5,815,377  

Deckers Outdoor Corporation †

          29,610        5,404,713  
             11,220,090  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 3.95%

 

Beverages: 0.73%  

Boston Beer Company Incorporated Class A †

          9,430        5,325,404  
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.19%  

Grocery Outlet Holding Corporation †

          130,777        4,813,901  

The Chef’s Warehouse Incorporated †

          255,200        3,776,960  
             8,590,861  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 1.52%  

Freshpet Incorporated †

          142,780        11,019,760  
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.51%  

Inter Parfums Incorporated

          79,280        3,679,385  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Financials: 8.64%  
Capital Markets: 1.79%  

Assetmark Financial Holdings †

          182,059      $ 4,860,975  

Stifel Financial Corporation

          169,150        8,070,147  
             12,931,122  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 1.70%  

LendingTree Incorporated †

          47,302        12,299,466  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 5.15%  

eHealth Incorporated †

          84,730        11,050,487  

Goosehead Insurance Incorporated Class A †

          73,153        4,385,522  

Kinsale Capital Group Incorporated

          141,987        21,201,499  

SelectQuote Incorporated †

          23,738        653,270  
             37,290,778  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 27.57%

 

Biotechnology: 9.88%  

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Incorporated †

          245,103        8,223,206  

Arena Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          100,920        6,031,988  

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company †

          82,520        5,155,024  

CareDx Incorporated †

          104,566        3,358,660  

Castle Biosciences Incorporated †

          211,800        8,139,474  

Emergent BioSolutions Incorporated †

          45,260        3,778,757  

Fate Therapeutics Incorporated †

          138,080        4,477,934  

Halozyme Therapeutics Incorporated †

          226,040        5,485,991  

Invitae Corporation †

          243,480        4,095,334  

Krystal Biotech Incorporated †

          64,398        3,310,701  

Natera Incorporated †

          205,387        9,006,220  

ORIC Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          37,792        1,096,724  

PTC Therapeutics Incorporated †

          40,690        2,063,390  

Vericel Corporation †

          505,640        7,271,103  
             71,494,506  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 8.29%  

Glaukos Corporation †

          56,739        2,211,686  

iRhythm Technologies Incorporated †

          112,682        14,007,499  

Orthopediatrics Corporation †

          148,281        6,840,203  

Shockwave Medical Incorporated †

          191,358        8,421,666  

SI-BONE Incorporated †

          336,197        5,880,086  

Silk Road Medical Incorporated †

          71,023        2,718,050  

Tactile Systems Technology Class I †

          135,293        6,554,946  

Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated †

          75,270        6,258,701  

Vapotherm Incorporated †

          265,609        7,073,168  
             59,966,005  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.21%  

Addus Homecare Corporation †

          112,160        11,099,354  

Amedisys Incorporated †

          25,540        4,904,957  
             16,004,311  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 2.68%  

Health Catalyst Incorporated †

          166,870        4,528,852  

Inspire Medical Systems Incorporated †

          59,500        4,851,630  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Technology (continued)  

Phreesia Incorporated †

          222,718      $ 6,530,092  

Teladoc Incorporated †

          19,979        3,477,545  
             19,388,119  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 3.69%  

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation †

          80,465        3,113,996  

Codexis Incorporated †

          926,729        11,509,974  

Neogenomics Incorporated †

          346,364        9,244,455  

Repligen Corporation †

          21,400        2,802,758  
             26,671,183  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 0.82%  

MyoKardia Incorporated †

          30,500        3,119,845  

Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          63,650        2,797,418  
             5,917,263  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 15.51%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 3.53%  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Incorporated †

          392,240        7,276,052  

Mercury Computer Systems Incorporated †

          204,795        18,298,433  
             25,574,485  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 3.30%  

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A †

          469,200        23,905,740  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.87%  

MasTec Incorporated †

          160,570        6,286,316  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 2.61%  

Rexnord Corporation

          626,190        18,848,319  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 2.92%  

ASGN Incorporated †

          342,733        21,108,925  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.24%  

Marten Transport Limited

          146,250        3,742,538  

Saia Incorporated †

          48,130        5,219,217  
             8,961,755  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.04%  

SiteOne Landscape Supply Incorporated †

          70,530        7,498,044  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 30.36%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.37%  

Novanta Incorporated †

          167,270        17,180,302  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 3.86%  

Endava plc Sponsored ADR †

          183,982        8,845,855  

EVO Payments Incorporated Class A †

          376,197        8,329,002  

Fastly Incorporated †

          149,900        6,466,686  

LiveRamp Holdings Incorporated †

          84,910        4,282,011  
             27,923,554  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

                    Shares      Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 3.22%                          

Diodes Incorporated †

         169,651      $ 8,251,825  

Semtech Corporation †

         225,090        11,970,286  

Silicon Laboratories Incorporated †

         32,410        3,035,521  
            23,257,632  
         

 

 

 
Software: 20.91%                          

Bill.com Holdings Incorporated †

         12,398        863,397  

BlackLine Incorporated †

         90,943        6,757,065  

Envestnet Incorporated †

         294,842        21,408,478  

Everbridge Incorporated †

         73,200        10,706,232  

Five9 Incorporated †

         120,013        12,505,355  

Globant SA †

         63,860        8,953,811  

Mimecast Limited †

         180,300        7,532,934  

New Relic Incorporated †

         86,530        5,723,960  

PROS Holdings Incorporated †

         106,920        4,164,534  

Q2 Holdings Incorporated †

         265,063        21,899,505  

Rapid7 Incorporated †

         374,836        18,325,732  

Sprout Social Incorporated Class A †

         201,696        5,556,725  

SPS Commerce Incorporated †

         230,136        15,686,070  

Talend SA ADR †

         362,038        11,161,632  
            151,245,430  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.25%

         
Chemicals: 0.25%                          

PQ Group Holdings Incorporated †

         141,820        1,779,841  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.14%

         
Equity REITs: 1.14%                          

QTS Realty Trust Incorporated Class A

         120,450        8,262,864  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $452,257,386)

            710,855,754  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 1.39%                          
Investment Companies: 1.39%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12                                 10,065,569        10,065,569  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $10,065,569)

            10,065,569  
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $462,322,955)     99.65        720,921,323  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.35          2,499,372  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 723,420,695  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Shares,

beginning of

period

   

Shares

purchased

   

Shares

sold

   

Shares,

end of

period

   

Net

realized

gains

(losses)

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses)

   

Income

from

affiliated

securities

   

Value,

end of

period

   

% of

net

assets

 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

    41,141,098       243,715,267       (284,856,365     0     $ 3,169     $ (1,066   $ 646,454 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    10,281,602       266,283,361       (266,499,394     10,065,569       0       0       147,167       10,065,569    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 3,169     $ (1,066   $ 793,621     $ 10,065,569       1.39
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $452,257,386)

  $ 710,855,754  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $10,065,569)

    10,065,569  

Receivable for investments sold

    6,521,533  

Receivable for dividends

    77,703  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    11,097  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    727,531,656  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    3,637,757  

Advisory fee payable

    469,296  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    864  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    3,044  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,110,961  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 723,420,695  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statement of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends

  $ 766,422  

Securities lending income from affiliates, net

    561,380  

Income from affiliated securities

    147,167  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,474,969  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    6,187,843  

Custody and accounting fees

    51,586  

Professional fees

    46,730  

Shareholder report expenses

    9,499  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    20,837  

Other fees and expenses

    19,849  
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    6,336,344  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (4,861,375
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    95,683,983  

Affiliated securities

    3,169  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    95,687,152  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    7,684,283  

Affiliated securities

    (1,066
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7,683,217  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    103,370,369  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 98,508,994  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Year ended
May 31, 2020
       Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

 

Net investment loss

  $ (4,861,375      $ (5,059,099

Net realized gains on investments

    95,687,152          101,592,660  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7,683,217          (103,571,551
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    98,508,994          (7,037,990
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

 

Contributions

    65,548,053          113,603,214  

Withdrawals

    (260,126,766        (166,578,053
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (194,578,713        (52,974,839
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

    (96,069,719        (60,012,829
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    819,490,414          879,503,243  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 723,420,695        $ 819,490,414  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return

    15.49     (0.28 )%      33.60     23.97     (14.47 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

Gross expenses

    0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.80

Net expenses

    0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.80

Net investment loss

    (0.62 )%      (0.57 )%      (0.47 )%      (0.15 )%      (0.40 )% 

Supplemental data

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    55     71     47     115     66

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund, if any, is included in securities lending income from affiliates (net of fees and rebates) on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $468,063,249 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 274,630,318  

Gross unrealized losses

     (21,772,244

Net unrealized gains

   $ 252,858,074  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 3,555,660      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,555,660  

Consumer discretionary

     74,888,724        0        0        74,888,724  

Consumer staples

     28,615,410        0        0        28,615,410  

Financials

     62,521,366        0        0        62,521,366  

Health care

     199,441,387        0        0        199,441,387  

Industrials

     112,183,584        0        0        112,183,584  

Information technology

     219,606,918        0        0        219,606,918  

Materials

     1,779,841        0        0        1,779,841  

Real estate

     8,262,864        0        0        8,262,864  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     10,065,569        0        0        10,065,569  

Total assets

   $ 720,921,323      $ 0      $ 0      $ 720,921,323  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.775  

Next $1 billion

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.725  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Over $4 billion

     0.680  

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.79% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.55% and declining to 0.40% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $428,523,750 and $602,470,213, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of May 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio invested a concentration of its portfolio in the health care and information technology sectors. A Portfolio that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a Portfolio whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

TO THE INTEREST HOLDERS OF THE PORTFOLIO AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELLS FARGO MASTER TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio (the Portfolio), one of the portfolios constituting Wells Fargo Master Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION    

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $37,749,463 was designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.    

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1 (Born 1967)   Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi (Born 1975)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 82 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund and Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (each, a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) of each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (“Funds Trust”) and Wells Fargo Master Trust (“Master Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trusts’ investment management, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, as applicable. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Funds Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund (the “Gateway Fund”) an investment management agreement (the “Gateway Fund Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

At the Meeting, the Master Trust Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are Independent Trustees, reviewed and approved: (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) with Funds Management for Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio, a portfolio of Master Trust (the “Master Portfolio”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management, for the Master Portfolio.

The Gateway Fund and the Master Portfolio are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Gateway Fund Management Agreement, the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

The Gateway Fund is a gateway feeder fund that invest substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio has a substantially similar investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies to the Gateway Fund. Information provided to the Boards regarding the Gateway Fund is also applicable to the Master Portfolio, as relevant.

At the Meeting, the Boards considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Boards have adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Boards in the discharge of their duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Boards, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards’ annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Boards considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Boards reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of their quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Boards and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Boards did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after its deliberations, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable. The Boards considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of their consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but their approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Boards in support of their approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Boards received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Boards also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Boards also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Boards also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds.

The Boards evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Boards further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Boards took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Boards considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Boards also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Boards considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Gateway Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Boards received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Funds Trust Board noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index, for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower for the one-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Funds Trust Board also noted that the investment performance of the Gateway Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Master Trust Board took note of the investment performance of the Master Portfolio in the context of reviewing the investment performance of the Gateway Fund.

The Funds Trust Board also received and considered information regarding the Gateway Fund’s net operating expense ratios, which include fees and expenses of the Master Portfolio, and their various components, including actual management fees assessed at the Gateway Fund and Master Portfolio levels, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Funds Trust Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Gateway Fund (the “Groups”). The Funds Trust Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Funds Trust Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Gateway Fund were lower than, equal to or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for each share class.

With respect to the Master Portfolio, the Master Trust Board reviewed the fee rates that are payable to Funds Management for investment advisory services (as discussed below), which are the only fees charged at the Master Portfolio level, relative to a corresponding expense Group.

The Boards took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to them among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management, advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Funds Trust Board noted that Funds Management receives no advisory fees from the Gateway Fund as long as the Gateway Fund continues to invest all (or substantially all) of its assets in a single master portfolio. If the Gateway Fund were to change its investment structure so that it began investing in two or more master portfolios (a fund-of-funds), Funds Management would be entitled to receive an annual fee of 0.25% of the Gateway Fund’s average daily net assets for providing investment advisory services to the Gateway Fund, including allocating the Gateway Fund’s assets to the Master Portfolio.

The Funds Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates that are payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for management services (other than investment advisory services), as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Gateway Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”).

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

The Master Trust Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Master Portfolio to Funds Management for investment advisory services under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement Rate”). The Master Trust Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rate that is payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate”).

Among other information reviewed by the Funds Trust Board was a comparison of the Gateway Fund’s Management Rate, which, for this purpose, includes the advisory fees paid at the Master Portfolio level, with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Funds Trust Board noted that the Management Rates of the Gateway Fund were in range of the sum of these average rates for the Gateway Fund’s expense Groups for each share class.

The Master Trust Board reviewed a comparison of the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio with those of other funds in the Master Portfolio’s expense Group at a common asset level. The Master Trust Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate of the Master Portfolio was lower than the median rate for the Master Portfolio’s expense Group.

The Master Trust Board also received and considered information about the portions of the total management fees that were retained by Funds Management after payment of the fees to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. The Master Trust Board noted the small size of the sub-advised expense universe. In assessing the reasonableness of these amounts, the Master Trust Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Master Trust Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Boards also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Boards received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Funds Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Gateway Fund Management Agreement was reasonable, and the Master Trust Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Boards received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Boards noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability with respect to providing services to the Master Portfolio and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Boards noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund. Based on its review, the Boards did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent the Boards from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Boards received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Boards noted the existence of breakpoints in the Master Portfolio’s advisory fee structure and the Gateway Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Funds’ expense ratios as the Funds grow in size, and the size of the Master Portfolio and the Gateway Fund, respectively, in relation to such breakpoints. The Boards considered that, in addition to advisory fee and management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

The Boards concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to each Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Boards received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Boards noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Boards also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on their consideration of the factors and information they deemed relevant, including those described here, the Boards did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Funds Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Gateway Fund Management Agreement for a one-year period. Additionally, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Master Trust Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Master Portfolio Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, each for a one-year term. The Boards also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser was reasonable.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), each of Wells Fargo Funds Trust and Wells Fargo Master Trust (each a “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including the Fund and the Portfolio, respectively, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund or Portfolio is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests. Each Trust’s Board of Trustees (each a “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager and the Portfolio’s investment adviser, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund or the Portfolio has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s or the Portfolio’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the respective Board.

At a meeting of each Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund or the Portfolio were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s and the Portfolio’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney

Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1)the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in anon-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a13-month period of time.

 

 

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For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

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This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00270 07-20

A282/AR282 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Annual Report

May 31, 2020

 

Multi-Asset Funds

 

 

 

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

 

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund

 

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

 

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

 

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights  
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund   6
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund   10
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund   14
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund   18
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund   22
Fund expenses   26
Portfolio of investments  
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund   28
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund   32
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund   35
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund   39
Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund   43
Financial statements  
Statements of assets and liabilities   48
Statements of operations   50
Statements of changes in net assets   52
Financial highlights   58
Notes to financial statements   68
Report of independent registered public accounting firm   80
Other information   81
Appendix I   91
Appendix II   92
Appendix III   94
Appendix IV   95

 

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of May 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Funds for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments around the world took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded in April and May to offset much of the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, achieved widespread gains.

For the 12-month period, fixed-income securities generally had positive total returns while non-U.S. equities had broad losses and U.S. stocks performed strongly despite sharp volatility since late February. For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 gained 12.84%. International stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 returned -3.43%, while the MSCI EM Index (Net)3 trailed slightly, with a -4.39% return. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 gained a robust 9.42%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 2.67%, and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 gained a more modest 3.98%, while the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 had a slight gain of 0.35%.

The fiscal year began on a positive note.

The 12-month period began with U.S. equity market advances during June and July 2019. The gains, primarily driven by geopolitical and monetary policy events, pushed equity markets to new highs. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi indicated the bank was ready to cut rates or buy more assets to prop up inflation if needed. President Trump backed off of earlier tariff threats against Mexico and China. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (Fed) implemented a 0.25% federal funds rate cut in July.

Later in July, the U.S. reversed course and threatened to impose higher tariffs on China’s exports after talks failed. China responded with tariff threats of its own and devalued the renminbi, roiling global markets. Major U.S. stock market indices closed July with the worst weekly results of the year. Bond prices gained as Treasury yields fell to multiyear lows, and the yield curve inverted at multiple points along the 30-year arc with shorter-term yields higher than longer-term.

In August, U.S.-China trade tensions continued with no signs of compromise. Evidence of a continued global economic slowdown mounted, and central banks in China, New Zealand, and Thailand cut interest rates. Industrial and manufacturing data declined in China, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Adding to global uncertainty, Italy’s prime minister resigned,

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3 

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

many feared a crackdown in Hong Kong as protestors sustained their calls for reform, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to suspend the British Parliament as Brexit’s deadline neared.

In the U.S., the Fed cut interest rates a second time in September. U.S. manufacturing data disappointed investors. The U.S. Congress announced it would pursue an impeachment investigation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the Brexit impasse showed no signs of resolution. Officials in China said that hitting the country’s economic growth goals for the year would be difficult considering the weight of tariffs and trade restrictions. Although the S&P 500 Index finished the third quarter with the best year-to-date returns in more than 20 years, concerns about future returns remained.

The fourth quarter of 2019 started on a strong note, with U.S.-China trade tensions relaxing in October along with renewed optimism for a U.K. Brexit deal and positive macroeconomic data. The initial estimate of U.S. third-quarter gross domestic product growth was a resilient 1.9% annualized rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5% in September. However, despite resilience among U.S. consumers, business confidence declined and manufacturing activity contracted. Concerned with a potential economic slowdown, the Fed lowered interest rates another quarter point in late October—its third rate cut in four months. This helped push the S&P 500 Index to a new all-time high while emerging market equities rallied and global bonds declined overall, reflecting a broad pickup in risk appetite.

Equity markets continued to rally in November despite ongoing geopolitical risks. Hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal buoyed investor confidence. U.S. business sentiment improved slightly, and manufacturing and services activity picked up. While consumer confidence and purchasing manager activity rose in the eurozone, China reported weakening manufacturing and consumer data. Bond yields rose marginally, leading to slightly negative returns for global government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Financial markets ended 2019 with a boost from the U.S. and China accord on a Phase One trade deal. That, along with the landslide win by the pro-Brexit U.K. Conservative Party in a national election and ongoing central bank support, gave investors greater confidence. U.S. economic indicators were generally positive, with the exception of manufacturing activity and business confidence. Consumer confidence was resilient, fed by a robust labor market, tame inflation, and lower interest rates, which boosted housing affordability and stimulated homebuyer activity. The impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump had little impact on markets. Meanwhile, slowing Chinese economic activity, partly attributable to the trade war, led to further government stimulus at year-end through lower reserve ratios, allowing banks to lend more money.

The year-end rally continued in early January 2020. However, capital market volatility picked up sharply in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end and the S&P 500 Index lost 8.2% for the month. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, partly aimed at dissuading further U.S. shale production. As a result, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 13% in February.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems.”

“Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

The global spread of the coronavirus led country after country to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming health care systems. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Fed introduced several new lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the earlier extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented government and central bank stimulus measures taken to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns enacted in order to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 4.8% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The ECB expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks current income with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WCAFX)3   2-10-2017     1.53       2.19       3.37       7.72       3.41       3.99       1.17       1.13  
                   
Class C (WCCFX)4   9-30-2004     5.90       2.86       3.71       6.90       2.86       3.71       1.92       1.88  
                   
Institutional Class (WCYFX)5   7-31-2018                       8.07       3.50       4.03       0.84       0.80  
                   
WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Blended Index6                         9.33       4.67       5.34              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         9.42       3.94       3.92              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)8                         -3.43       0.79       4.38              
                   
Russell 3000® Index9                         11.46       9.17       12.80              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund (continued)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 202010

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.38% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for the Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class A shares adjusted to reflect that the Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Blended Index is composed 80% of Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% of the Russell 3000® Index, and 6% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S.. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

10 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Blended Index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) and the Russell 3000® Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

11 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

The Nasdaq 100 Index is an unmanaged group of the 100 biggest companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index. The list is updated quarterly, and companies on this index are typically representative of technology-related industries, such as computer hardware and software products, telecommunications, biotechnology, and retail/wholesale trade. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

14 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

15 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund (continued)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

 

The Fund underperformed the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Blended Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Relative underperformance by three underlying investments (alternatives, fixed income (credit: investment grade and high yield), and large-cap U.S. factor-based) were the most significant detractors from performance.

 

 

The Dynamic Risk Hedging (DRH) and the tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlays added to performance through the period.

Market returns were positive despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets return 11.46% as reflected by the Russell 3000® Index and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets return 9.42% as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most historical 12-month periods. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index11 reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed over one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

Portfolio management addressed Fund allocations throughout the period.

Over the period, we removed a number of underlying funds held within the Fund. Within both the fixed-income sleeve and the alternative sleeve, we removed certain funds either to gain desired exposures or to consolidate holdings among funds with similar investment styles.

Several of the underlying funds underperformed their specific benchmarks. For most of these funds, the underperformance was small and only detracted a few basis points from performance. Alternative investments failed to keep pace with stocks and bonds over the trailing 12 months. Poor relative performance by our Alternative Risk Premia Fund hurt the Fund’s performance and led to this being the largest single detractor from relative performance over the period. Fixed-income markets, in particular longer-term government bonds (government bonds with 10+ years to maturity) performed well, returning more than 20% over the 12 months. We hold a non-traditional bond fund and it had significant credit exposure in 2020. While the sleeve still produced positive results, credit (investment grade and high yield) underperformed government bonds and this fund lagged its benchmark. Over this period, value stocks tended to underperform growth stocks in both the domestic and foreign markets. Our large cap Factor Enhanced Fund tends to have exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by more than 600 bps (bps; 100 bps equal 1.00%), which contributed to the Fund’s poor relative performance.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund (continued)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 202012       
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

     23.17  
   

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

     17.98  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

     13.29  
   

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

     5.47  
   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     5.40  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

     4.64  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

     4.36  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

     4.12  
   

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

     3.79  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

     2.49  

The Fund’s TAA overlay was active throughout the year. We held short-term short positions in S&P 500 futures in June 2019 and again in August through October 2019. With respect to the 10-year Treasury contract activity, we established short positions in June and again from August through January 2020. The Fund was engaged in various other overlay trades during the period. We started the period long the Japanese yen and closed the position in August 2019. In July 2019, we hedged a portion of our euro exposure; we covered in February 2020. In October, we established a paired trade short Hong Kong/long Singapore equities; we closed this trade late in January 2020. In April 2020, we established a paired trade long Hong Kong/short European stocks; we closed this trade near the end of May. In January 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade long Nasdaq 100 Index13/short S&P 500 Index; this trade remained in effect at period-end. In March 2020, we

 

engaged in an additional paired trade short Russell 2000® Index14/long S&P 500 Index; this trade also remained in effect at period-end. In May, we established a short position in the sterling; this trade remained in effect at period-end. Over the entire period, TAA activity contributed about 30 basis points to performance.

The total DRH activity employed within the Fund added 142 bps to performance over the entire period. On average, over the 12 months that ended May 31, 2020, the equity portion of the portfolio was hedged an average of 3.6%. The maximum daily hedge was 49.8% on March 2, 2020.

 

Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation15
 
     

Bond Funds

     75        75  
     

Stock Funds

     20        23  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

     5        5  
     

Effective Cash

     0        (3)  

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely

 

that we will hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of the coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here may be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Market participants went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  9


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with no emphasis on income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WEAFX)3   2-10-2017     7.36       5.39       8.65       13.91       6.65       9.29       1.10       1.09  
                   
Class C (WEACX)4   10-1-1997     12.06       6.11       9.01       13.06       6.11       9.01       1.85       1.84  
                   
Institutional Class (WEAYX)5   7-31-2018                       14.26       6.78       9.36       0.77       0.76  
                   
WealthBuilder Equity Blended Index6                         6.83       6.65       10.27              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)7                         -3.43       0.79       4.38              
                   
Russell 3000® Index8                         11.46       9.17       12.80              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 11.

 

 

10  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund (continued)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20209

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.34% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Class A shares adjusted to reflect that Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The WealthBuilder Equity Blended Index is composed 70% of the Russell 3000® Index and 30% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the WealthBuilder Equity Blended Index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), and the Russell 3000® Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

10 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

11 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  11


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund (continued)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION    

Fund highlights    

 

The Fund outperformed the WealthBuilder Equity Blended Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

The Dynamic Risk Hedging (DRH) overlay added to performance through the period.

 

 

Relative underperformance by three underlying investments (large-cap U.S. factor-based, emerging market factor-based, and value foreign developed markets) were the most significant detractors from performance.

Market returns were positive despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus.

The 12-month period ending May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets return 11.46% as reflected by the Russell 3000® Index and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets return 9.42% as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index11. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most historical 12-month periods. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index10 reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed more than one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 202012       
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

     21.68  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

     19.27  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

     11.63  
   

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

     6.93  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emering Markets Equity Portfolio

     4.67  
   

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

     4.27  
   

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

     3.82  
   

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6

     3.82  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

     3.79  
   

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

     2.99  

Portfolio management addressed Fund allocations throughout the period.

The total DRH activity employed within the fund added 634 basis points (bps; 100 bps equal 1.00%) to performance over the entire period. On average, over the 12 months that ended May 31, 2020, the equity portion of the portfolio was hedged about 3.6%. The maximum daily hedge was 49.8% on March 2, 2020.

Over the period, a number of the underlying funds underperformed their specific benchmarks. For most of these funds, the underperformance was small and only detracted a few basis points from performance. However, a bulk of the Fund’s underperformance can be traced to three specific holdings. Over this period, value stocks tended to underperform growth stocks in both the domestic and foreign markets. Our large cap Factor Enhanced Fund

 

tends to have exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by more than 600 bps, which detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. Our emerging markets Factor Enhanced Fund also tends to have exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by 875 bps, which detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. Our active developed markets fund also has exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by 635 bps, which detracted from the Fund’s relative performance.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 11.

 

 

12  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund (continued)

 

 

Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation13
 
     

U.S. Large Cap Stock Funds

     60        60  
     

International Stock Funds

     30        30  
     

U.S. Small Cap Stock Funds

     10        10  

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely

 

that we would hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here may be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Market participants went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

Please see footnotes on page 11.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  13


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks capital appreciation with a secondary emphasis on current income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WGAFX)3   2-10-2017     4.93       4.63       7.99       11.34       5.88       8.64       1.13       1.11  
                   
Class C (WGCFX)4   9-30-2004     9.67       5.40       8.39       10.67       5.40       8.39       1.88       1.86  
                   
Institutional Class (WGAYX)5   7-31-2018                       11.71       5.98       8.69       0.80       0.78  
                   
WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Blended Index6                         7.79       6.30       9.16              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         9.42       3.94       3.92              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)8                         -3.43       0.79       4.38              
                   
Russell 3000® Index9                         11.46       9.17       12.80              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 15.

 

 

14  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund (continued)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 202010

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.36% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for the Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for the Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class A shares adjusted to reflect that the Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Blended Index is composed 56% of the Russell 3000® Index, 24% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), and 20% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

10 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Blended Index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), and the Russell 3000® Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

11 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

The Nasdaq 100 Index is an unmanaged group of the 100 biggest companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index. The list is updated quarterly, and companies on this index are typically representative of technology-related industries, such as computer hardware and software products, telecommunications, biotechnology, and retail/wholesale trade. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

14 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

15 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  15


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund (continued)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION    

Fund highlights    

 

The Fund outperformed the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Blended Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

The Dynamic Risk Hedging (DRH) and tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlays added to performance through the period.

 

 

Relative underperformance by three underlying investments (alternatives, large-cap U.S. factor-based, and emerging market factor-based) were the most significant detractors from performance.

Market returns were positive despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets return 11.46% as reflected by the Russell 3000® Index and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets return 9.42% as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most historical 12-month periods. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index11 reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed over one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 202012  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

     17.84  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

     15.82  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

     9.56  
   

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

     5.72  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

     4.33  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

     3.80  
   

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

     3.51  
   

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

     3.45  
   

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

     3.36  
   

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

     3.19  

Portfolio management addressed Fund allocations throughout the period.

Over the period, we removed a number of underlying funds held within the Fund. Within both the fixed-income sleeve and the alternative sleeve, we removed certain funds either to gain desired exposures or to consolidate holdings among funds with similar investment styles.

The Fund’s TAA overlay was active throughout the year. We held short-term short positions in S&P 500 futures in June 2019 and again in August through October 2019. With respect to the 10-year Treasury contract activity, we established short positions in June and again from August through January 2020. The Fund was engaged in various other overlay trades during the period. We started the period long the Japanese yen and closed the position in August 2019. In July 2019, we hedged a portion of our euro

 

exposure; we covered in February 2020. In October, we established a paired trade short Hong Kong/long Singapore equities; we closed this trade late in January 2020. In April 2020, we established a paired trade long Hong Kong/short European stocks; we closed this trade near the end of May. In January 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade long Nasdaq 100 Index13/short S&P 500 Index; this trade remained in effect at period-end. In March 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade short Russell 2000® Index14/long S&P 500 Index; this trade also remained in effect at period-end. In May, we established a short position in the sterling; this trade remained in effect at period-end. Over the entire period, TAA activity contributed about 13 basis points (bps; 100 bps equal 1.00%) to performance.

 

Please see footnotes on page 15.

 

 

16  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund (continued)

 

Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation15
 
     

Stock Funds

     80        83  
     

Bond Funds

     15        15  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

     5        5  
     

Effective Cash

     0        (3)  

The total DRH activity employed within the Fund added 531 bps to performance over the entire period. On average, over the 12 months that ended May 31, 2020, the equity portion of the portfolio was hedged about 3.6%. The maximum daily hedge was 49.8% on March 2, 2020.

Over the period, a number of the underlying funds underperformed their specific benchmarks. For most of these funds, the underperformance was small and only

 

detracted a few basis points from performance. Alternative investments failed to keep pace with stocks and bonds over the trailing 12 months. Poor relative performance by our Alternative Risk Premia Fund hurt the Fund’s performance and led to this being the largest single detractor from relative performance. Over this period, value stocks tended to underperform growth stocks in both the domestic and the foreign markets. Our large cap Factor Enhanced Fund tends to have exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by more than 600 bps, which detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. Our emerging markets Factor Enhanced Fund also tends to have exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by 875 bps, which detracted from the Fund’s relative performance.

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely that we would hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of the coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here may be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Market participants went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

Please see footnotes on page 15.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  17


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks a combination of capital appreciation and current income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WGBAX)3   2-10-2017     4.14       4.01       6.99       10.49       5.25       7.63       1.13       1.13  
                   
Class C (WGBFX)4   9-30-2004     8.58       4.71       7.36       9.58       4.71       7.36       1.88       1.88  
                   
Institutional Class (WGBIX)5   7-31-2018                       10.78       5.35       7.68       0.80       0.80  
                   
WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Blended Index6                         8.52       5.85       7.97              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         9.42       3.94       3.92              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)8                         -3.43       0.79       4.38              
                   
Russell 3000® Index9                         11.46       9.17       12.80              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 19.

 

 

18  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund (continued)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 202010

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.38% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for the Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for the Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for the Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Class A shares adjusted to reflect that Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for Institutional Class shares would be higher.gher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Blended Index is composed 42% of the Russell 3000® Index, 40% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and 18% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

10 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Blended Index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA (Net), and the Russell 3000® Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

11 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by the total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

12 

The Nasdaq 100 Index is an unmanaged group of the 100 biggest companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index. The list is updated quarterly, and companies on this index are typically representative of technology-related industries, such as computer hardware and software products, telecommunications, biotechnology, and retail/wholesale trade. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

13 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

14 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  19


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund (continued)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION    

Fund highlights    

 

The Fund outperformed the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Blended Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

The Dynamic Risk Hedging (DRH) and tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlays added to performance through the period.

 

 

Relative underperformance by three underlying investments (alternatives, large-cap U.S. factor-based, and fixed income (credit: investment grade and high yield)) were the most significant detractors from performance.

Positive market returns despite the economic ravages of the coronavirus.

The 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets return 11.46% as reflected by the Russell 3000® Index and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets return 9.42% as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most historical 12-month periods. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed more than one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 202011  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    13.65  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    12.11  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    10.35  
   

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    8.02  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    7.33  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    5.96  
   

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

    4.38  
   

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    3.55  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    2.94  
   

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

    2.70  

Portfolio management addressed Fund allocations throughout the period.

Over the period, we removed a number of underlying funds held within the Fund. Within both the fixed-income sleeve and the alternative sleeve, we removed certain funds to either gain desired exposures or to consolidate holdings among funds with similar investment styles.

The Fund’s TAA overlay was active throughout the year. We held short-term short positions in S&P 500 futures in June 2019 and again from August through October 2019. With respect to the 10-year Treasury contract activity, we established short positions in June and again from August through January 2020. The Fund was engaged in various other overlay trades during the period. We started the period long the Japanese yen and closed the position in August 2019. In July 2019, we hedged a portion of our euro exposure; we covered in February 2020. In October, we

 

established a paired trade short Hong Kong/long Singapore equities; we closed this trade late in January 2020. In April 2020, we established a paired trade long Hong Kong/short European stocks; we closed this trade near the end of May. In January 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade long Nasdaq 100 Index12/short S&P 500 Index; this trade remained in effect at period-end. In March 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade short Russell 2000® Index13/long S&P 500 Index; this trade also remained in effect at period-end. In May, we established a short position in the sterling; this trade remained in effect at period-end. Over the entire period, TAA activity contributed about 22 basis points (bps; 100 bps equal 1.00%) to performance.

 

Please see footnotes on page 19.

 

 

20  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund (continued)

 

Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020         
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation14
 
     

Stock Funds

     60        63  
     

Bond Funds

     35        35  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

     5        5  
     

Effective Cash

     0        (3)  

The total DRH activity employed within the Fund added 409 bps to performance over the entire period. On average, over the 12 months that ended May 31, 2020, the equity portion of the portfolio was hedged an average of 3.6%. The maximum daily hedge was 49.8% on March 2, 2020.

Over the period, a number of the underlying funds underperformed their specific benchmarks. For most of these funds, the underperformance was small and only

 

detracted a few basis points from performance. Alternative investments failed to keep pace with stocks and bonds over the trailing 12 months. Poor relative performance by our alternative risk premia fund hurt the Fund’s performance and led to this being the largest single detractor from relative performance. Over this period, value stocks tended to underperform growth stocks in both the domestic and the foreign markets. Our large cap Factor Enhanced Fund tends to have exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by more than 600 bps, which detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. Fixed-income markets, in particular longer-term government bonds (government bonds with 10+ years to maturity) performed well, returning more than 20% for the 12 months. We hold a non-traditional bond fund and it had significant credit exposure in 2020. While the sleeve still produced positive results, credit (investment grade and high yield) underperformed government bonds and this fund lagged its benchmark.

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely that we would hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of the coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here may be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Investors went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

Please see footnotes on page 19.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  21


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks a combination of current income and capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of May 31, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WMBGX)3   2-10-2017     2.68       3.14       5.12       8.95       4.37       5.75       1.10       1.09  
                   
Class C (WMBFX)   9-30-2004     7.24       3.86       5.49       8.24       3.86       5.49       1.85       1.84  
                   
Institutional Class (WMBZX)4   7-31-2018                       9.26       4.50       5.81       0.77       0.76  
                   
WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Blended Index5                         9.03       5.31       6.69              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index6                         9.42       3.94       3.92              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)7                         -3.43       0.79       4.38              
                   
Russell 3000® Index8                         11.46       9.17       12.80              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage-and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 23.

 

 

22  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund (continued)

 

Growth of $10,000 investment as of May 31, 20209

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.34% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2020, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for the Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for the Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Blended Index is composed 60% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 28% of the Russell 3000® Index, and 12% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the WealthBuilder Moderate Blended Blended Index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), and the Russell 3000® Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 investment and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

10 

Holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

11 

The Nasdaq 100 Index is an unmanaged group of the 100 biggest companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index. The list is updated quarterly, and companies on this index are typically representative of technology-related industries, such as computer hardware and software products, telecommunications, biotechnology, and retail/wholesale trade. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

13 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  23


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund (continued)

 

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION    

Fund highlights    

 

The Fund (Class A, excluding sales charge) underperformed the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Blended Index for the 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020.

 

 

Relative underperformance by three underlying investments (alternatives, fixed income (credit: investment grade and high yield), and large-cap U.S. factor-based) were the most significant detractors from performance.

 

 

The Dynamic Risk Hedging (DRH) and tactical asset allocation (TAA) overlays added to performance through the period.

Reaction to the coronavirus supplanted positive economic data.

The 12-month period that ended May 31, 2020, saw the broad U.S. equity markets return 11.46% as reflected by the Russell 3000® Index and the broad U.S. fixed-income markets return 9.42% as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Those returns would be considered pretty good during most historical 12-month periods. Given that they materialized as the world is opening up from the global coronavirus pandemic lockdown is truly remarkable.

From June 1, 2019, to mid-February 2020, the market climbed a wall of worry, fretting over slower growth, Brexit, and trade tensions with China. Credit spreads compressed and pundits debated the impacts of negative interest rates. On February 19, the S&P 500 Index reached a high of 3,386; soon after, fears of the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The world sheltered in place and economic activity ground to a halt. By March 23, the S&P 500 Index shed more than one-third of its value and stood at 2,237. The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal policy flooded the markets. Despite all of the massively negative economic news, the market recovered. As of May 31, 2020, the S&P 500 Index climbed back to 3,044, roughly 10% off its February 19, 2020, peak.

Portfolio management addressed Fund allocations throughout the period.

Over the period, we removed a number of underlying funds held within the Fund. Within both the fixed-income sleeve and the alternative sleeve, we removed certain funds either to gain desired exposures or to consolidate holdings among funds with similar investment styles.

Several of the underlying funds underperformed their specific benchmarks. For most of these funds, the underperformance was small and only detracted a few basis points from performance. Alternative investments failed to keep pace with stocks and bonds over the trailing 12 months. Poor relative performance by our Alternative Risk Premia Fund hurt the Fund’s performance and led to this being the largest single detractor from relative performance over the period. Fixed-income markets, in particular longer-term government bonds (government bonds with 10+ years to maturity) performed well, returning more than 20% over the 12 months. We hold a non-traditional bond fund and it had significant credit exposure in 2020. While the sleeve still produced positive results, credit (investment grade and high yield) underperformed government bonds and this fund lagged its benchmark. Over this period, value stocks tended to underperform growth stocks in both the domestic and foreign markets. Our large cap Factor Enhanced Fund tends to have exposure to these value stocks and it underperformed its market benchmark by more than 600 bps, which contributed to the Fund’s poor relative performance.

 

 

24  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund (continued)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of May 31, 202010      
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    16.68  
   

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    12.94  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    9.57  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    9.27  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    8.24  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    4.98  
   

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    3.93  
   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    3.86  
   

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    3.68  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    3.14  

The Fund’s TAA overlay was active throughout the year. We held short-term short positions in the S&P 500 futures in June 2019 and again from August through October 2019. With respect to the 10-year Treasury contract activity, we established short positions in June and again from August through January 2020. The Fund was engaged in various other overlay trades during the period. We started the period long the Japanese yen and closed the position in August 2019. In July 2019, we hedged a portion of our euro exposure; we covered in February 2020. In October, we established a paired trade short Hong Kong/long Singapore equities; we closed this trade late in January 2020. In April 2020, we established a paired trade long Hong Kong/short European stocks; we closed this trade near the end of May. In January 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade long Nasdaq 100 Index11/short S&P 500 Index. In March 2020, we engaged in an additional paired trade short

 

Russell 2000® Index12/long S&P 500 Index; this trade also remained in effect at period-end. In May, we established a short position in the sterling; this trade remained in effect at period-end. Over the entire period, TAA activity contributed about 20 basis points (bps; 100 bps equal 1.00%) to performance.

The total DRH activity employed within the Fund added 279 bps to performance over the entire period. On average, over the 12 months that ended May 31, 2020, the equity portion of the portfolio was hedged an average of 3.6%. The maximum daily hedge was 49.8% on March 2, 2020.

 

Allocation (%) as of May 31, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation13
 
     

Bond Funds

     55        55  
     

Stock Funds

     40        43  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

     5        5  
     

Effective Cash

     0        (3)  

Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic.

Our macroeconomic outlook is best defined as cautious optimism. We place the emphasis on cautious. There is a massive amount of uncertainty surrounding the virus, U.S. civil unrest, domestic politics, and geopolitical tensions that could cause this view to change quickly. On the positive side of the ledger, coordinated global policy action has released

 

trillions of dollars into the market. We believe it is unlikely that we would hit the March 2020 market lows again. From an investor psychology aspect, we suspect that even if a significant second wave of the coronavirus strikes, the economy now has a path to follow forward and that markets should not behave as negatively as they did in March. However, the easy money off the low has been realized; upside from here may be limited. We have moved from a market-wide beta-driven market recovery to more of a sector and issuer-driven market. Market participants went from fear of recession to the reality of recession faster than at any other time in history. We find it reasonable to conclude that the recovery should be in proportion to the decline.

We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

 

Please see footnotes on page 23.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  25


Table of Contents

Fund expense (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund    Beginning
account  value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,030.82      $ 3.80        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.26      $ 3.78        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,027.83      $ 7.60        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.50      $ 7.57        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,032.35      $ 2.13        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.90      $ 2.12        0.42
WealthBuilder Equity Fund                            
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.58      $ 3.79        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.25      $ 3.79        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.61      $ 7.57        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.50      $ 7.57        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.75      $ 2.12        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.90      $ 2.12        0.42

 

1 

Amounts do not reflect expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

26  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Fund expense (unaudited)

 

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund    Beginning
account value
12-1-2019
     Ending
account value
5-31-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.92      $ 3.79        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.25      $ 3.79        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.17      $ 7.56        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.50      $ 7.57        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.74      $ 2.12        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.90      $ 2.12        0.42
WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund                            
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,025.62      $ 3.80        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.25      $ 3.79        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.81      $ 7.58        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.50      $ 7.57        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,026.76      $ 2.12        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.91      $ 2.12        0.42
WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund                            
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,028.03      $ 3.80        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.25      $ 3.79        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.17      $ 7.59        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.50      $ 7.57        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,029.93      $ 2.13        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.90      $ 2.12        0.42

 

1 

Amounts do not reflect expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER CONSERVATIVE ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 7.89%          

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

         11,548      $ 3,524,219  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         5,449        360,397  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         107,569        12,655,492  

iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF

         16,750        889,258  

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

         21,262        800,940  

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

         6,956        259,875  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $17,829,648)

            18,490,181  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 89.38%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 61.08%                          

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            42,151,866  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            54,322,847  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            10,889,269  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            1,507,808  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            2,364,367  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            5,835,271  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            9,667,759  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            1,908,954  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            3,464,300  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

                                     10,232,399  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            843,302  
            143,188,142  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 4.75%                          

The Arbitrage Fund Class I

         167,252        2,252,889  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,083,479        8,895,359  
            11,148,248  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 20.24%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,213,334        12,824,937  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         1,087,559        3,469,313  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,336,326        31,161,289  
            47,455,539  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 3.31%                          

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class

         58,305        873,414  

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

         63,449        2,147,765  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         35,527        855,847  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         186,992        1,939,111  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         41,251        1,940,462  
            7,756,599  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $204,835,630)

            209,548,528  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 0.42%                          
Investment Companies: 0.42%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12        976,721        976,721  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $976,721)

            976,721  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER CONSERVATIVE ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

             Value  
Total investments in securities (Cost $223,641,999)     97.69      $ 229,015,430  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    2.31          5,415,156  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 234,430,586  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

MSCI EAFE Index

     10        6-19-2020      $ 795,920      $ 862,800      $ 66,880      $ 0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     8        6-19-2020        349,383        373,160        23,777        0  

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     70        6-19-2020        9,975,121        13,384,350        3,409,229        0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     51        6-19-2020        6,084,817        7,757,100        1,672,283        0  

Short

                 

British Pound Futures

     (121)        6-15-2020        (9,215,859      (9,321,538      0        (105,679

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     (114)        6-19-2020        (5,863,200      (7,938,960      0        (2,075,760

MSCI EAFE Index

     (10)        6-19-2020        (755,693      (862,800      0        (107,107

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     (8)        6-19-2020        (349,582      (373,160      0        (23,578

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     (34)        6-19-2020        (4,300,805      (5,171,400      0        (870,595
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 5,172,169      $ (3,182,719
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER CONSERVATIVE ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
capital gain
distributions
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Investment Companies

             

Alternative Investment Funds

             

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    1,083,479     $ (50,703   $ 73,055     $ (1,537,660   $ 28,752     $ 8,895,359       3.79
           

 

 

   

Bond Funds

             

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    1,213,334       20,187       169,068       55,399       379,132       12,824,937    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    1,087,559       (29,521     0       39,561       158,309       3,469,313    

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    3,336,326       8,911       0       (103,238     980,216       31,161,289    
              47,455,539       20.24  
           

 

 

   

Stock Funds

             

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    35,527       60,181       0       (428     9,322       855,847    

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    186,992       695,688       149,419       148,499       0       1,939,111    

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    41,251       47,518       175,702       219,953       6,077       1,940,462    
              4,735,420       2.02  
           

 

 

   

Short-Term Investments

             

Investment Companies

             

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    976,721       0       0       0       16,374       976,721       0.42  
           

 

 

   

Affiliated securities no longer held at end of period

      (485,063     79,749       (12,235     2,426      
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 267,198     $ 646,993     $ (1,190,149   $ 1,580,608     $ 62,063,039       26.47
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, investment activity in affiliates of the Fund was as follows:    

 

    Shares,
beginning
of period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
 

Investment Companies

       

Alternative Investment Funds

       

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    0       1,222,965       (139,486     1,083,479  

Bond Funds

       

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    0       1,495,993       (282,659     1,213,334  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    1,172,624       169,449       (254,514     1,087,559  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    3,643,713       374,725       (682,112     3,336,326  

Stock Funds

       

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    40,832       11,990       (17,295     35,527  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    0       269,560       (82,568     186,992  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Institutional Class †*

    252,589       16,573       (269,162     0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    51,334       18,774       (28,857     41,251  

Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 *

    69,476       11,552       (81,028     0  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund Class R6 *

    0       34,000 **      (34,000     0  

Short-Term Investments

       

Investment Companies

       

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    799,593       32,335,941       (32,158,813     976,721  

 

Non-income-earning security    

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

**

Amount includes 33,690 shares from Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund which merged into Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund at the closed of business on September 20, 2019 and became shares of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER CONSERVATIVE ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
   

Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios

   

Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios

    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    4.65     7.52   $ 493,252     $ 1,842,472     $ 878,846     $ 0     $ 9,177     $ 42,151,866    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    1.05       0.94       2,928,571       781,377       1,484,521       0       19,435       54,322,847    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    3.95       4.29       (181,264     1,779,652       0       231,672       1,502       10,889,269    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.21       0.21       403,661       (64,662     0       1,411       1,407       1,507,808    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    1.08       1.17       (20,936     87,329       227       79,341       899       2,364,367    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    0.99       1.07       (243,546     367,044       278       143,136       2,270       5,835,271    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    0.98       1.06       553,860       364,535       742       219,694       4,247       9,667,759    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    0.81       0.91       (60,760     73,655       181       29,561       1,107       1,908,954    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

    8.64       2.03       (219,796     24,760       234,712       0       1,115       3,464,300    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    6.29       6.31       (247,235     625,431       234,120       35,716       1,763       10,232,399    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.00       0.21       (83,299     (22,368     0       10,952       520       843,302    

Wells Fargo U.S. REIT Portfolio *

    5.84       0.00       9,947       70,585       0       16,153       13       0    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 3,332,455     $ 5,929,810     $ 2,833,627     $ 767,636     $ 43,455     $ 143,188,142       61.08
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER EQUITY FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 11.46%                          

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

         84,208      $ 25,698,597  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         39,132        2,588,190  

iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF

         121,781        6,465,353  

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

         155,098        5,842,542  

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

         50,564        1,889,071  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $39,473,958)

            42,483,753  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 81.03%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 65.71%                          

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            80,393,030  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            11,088,345  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            17,299,404  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            43,125,526  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            71,460,475  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            14,069,023  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            6,205,713  
            243,641,516  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 15.32%                          

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class

         426,615        6,390,700  

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

         467,882        15,837,819  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         259,588        6,253,466  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †(l)

         1,366,088        14,166,330  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         301,182        14,167,621  
            56,815,936  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $280,405,384)

            300,457,452  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 0.60%                          
Investment Companies: 0.60%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12        2,220,697        2,220,697  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,220,697)

            2,220,697  
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $322,100,039)     93.09        345,161,902  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    6.91          25,611,329  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 370,773,231  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

32  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER EQUITY FUND

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

MSCI EAFE Index

     78        6-19-2020      $ 6,227,399      $ 6,729,840      $ 502,441      $ 0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     62        6-19-2020        2,722,088        2,891,990        169,902        0  

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     96        6-19-2020        13,725,194        18,355,680        4,630,486        0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     63        6-19-2020        8,655,597        9,582,300        926,703        0  

Short

                 

British Pound Futures

     (184)        6-15-2020        (14,013,511      (14,174,900      0        (161,389

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     (157)        6-19-2020        (8,826,254      (10,933,480      0        (2,107,226

MSCI EAFE Index

     (79)        6-19-2020        (6,174,237      (6,816,120      0        (641,883

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     (63)        6-19-2020        (2,690,029      (2,938,635      0        (248,606

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     (111)        6-19-2020        (13,793,137      (16,883,100      0        (3,089,963
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 6,229,532      $ (6,249,067
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:    

 

    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
capital gain
distributions
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Investment Companies

             

Stock Funds

             

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    259,588     $ 330,167     $ 0     $ (75,859   $ 78,321     $ 6,253,466    

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    1,366,088       3,521,939       1,226,034       (1,793,081     0       14,166,330    

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

    301,182       (135,015     1,444,133       1,588,832       50,261       14,167,621    
              34,587,417       9.33
           

 

 

   

Short-Term Investments

             

Investment Companies

             

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,220,697       0       0       0       37,031       2,220,697       0.60  
           

 

 

   

Affiliated securities no longer held at end of period

      (5,349,675     636,134       5,729,409       42,665      
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
             

 

 

 
    $ (1,632,584   $ 3,306,301     $ 5,449,301     $ 208,278     $ 36,808,114       9.93
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  33


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER EQUITY FUND

 

 

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, investment activity in affiliates of the Fund was as follows:    

 

    Shares,
beginning
of period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
 

Investment Companies

       

Stock Funds

       

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    328,988       180,498       (249,898     259,588  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    0       2,388,395       (1,022,307     1,366,088  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Institutional Class †*

    2,032,274       255,579       (2,287,853     0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

    417,126       249,601       (365,545     301,182  

Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 *

    566,720       105,923       (672,643     0  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund Class R6 *

    0       281,086 **      (281,086     0  

Short-Term Investments

       

Investment Companies

       

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,277,831       107,691,830       (107,748,964     2,220,697  

 

Non-income-earning security    

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

**

Amount includes 280,709 shares from Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund which merged into Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund at the close of business on September 20, 2019 and became shares of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund.

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Affiliated Master Portfolios

                 

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    32.30     31.68   $ (2,699,582   $ 13,277,100     $ 606     $ 1,922,849     $ 9,759     $ 80,393,030    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    1.70       1.53       1,850,228       212,145       0       12,268       11,242       11,088,345    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    8.69       8.55       (2,311,811     (273,779     1,639       560,770       7,920       17,299,404    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    7.99       7.93       (2,235,733     1,920,295       2,569       1,121,450       19,230       43,125,526    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    7.92       7.84       3,890,127       1,409,467       6,158       1,768,997       36,235       71,460,475    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    6.68       6.74       (568,394     45,521       1,330       237,602       9,549       14,069,023    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.00       1.54       (777,393     (1,565,667     0       85,017       4,134       6,205,713    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ (2,852,558   $ 15,025,082     $ 12,302     $ 5,708,953     $ 98,069     $ 243,641,516       65.71
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

34  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 10.44%                          

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

         50,218      $ 15,325,528  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         23,425        1,549,330  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         22,595        2,658,302  

iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF

         72,831        3,866,598  

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

         92,137        3,470,801  

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

         30,119        1,125,246  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $26,543,087)

            27,995,805  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 83.64%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 62.85%                          

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            8,996,841  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            11,595,282  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            47,834,667  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            6,716,065  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            10,191,800  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            25,625,817  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            42,399,391  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            8,487,125  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            745,233  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

            2,179,802  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            3,714,308  
            168,486,331  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 4.35%                          

The Arbitrage Fund Class I

         178,349        2,402,364  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,128,109        9,261,772  
            11,664,136  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 3.77%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         256,087        2,706,836  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         232,790        742,599  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class (l)

         714,681        6,675,119  
            10,124,554  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 12.67%                          

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class

         253,269        3,793,968  

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

         277,787        9,403,087  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         153,844        3,706,105  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         820,540        8,508,998  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

                                  181,761        8,550,041  
            33,962,199  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $214,909,423)

            224,237,220  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 0.29%          
Investment Companies: 0.29%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12        768,588        768,588  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $768,588)

            768,588  
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  35


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

             Value  
Total investments in securities (Cost $242,221,098)     94.37      $ 253,001,613  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    5.63          15,083,566  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 268,085,179  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

MSCI EAFE Index

     45        6-19-2020      $ 3,591,381      $ 3,882,600      $ 291,219      $ 0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     36        6-19-2020        1,580,361        1,679,220        98,859        0  

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     74        6-19-2020        10,567,260        14,149,170        3,581,910        0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     81        6-19-2020        10,212,873        12,320,100        2,107,227        0  

Short

                 

British Pound Futures

     (134)        6-15-2020        (10,205,417      (10,323,025      0        (117,608

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     (123)        6-19-2020        (6,610,567      (8,565,720      0        (1,955,153

MSCI EAFE Index

     (46)        6-19-2020        (3,595,952      (3,968,880      0        (372,928

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     (37)        6-19-2020        (1,575,115      (1,725,865      0        (150,750

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     (64)        6-19-2020        (8,421,261      (9,734,400      0        (1,313,139
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 6,079,215      $ (3,909,578
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

36  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Shares,
end of
period
   

Net

realized
gains

(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds

   

Net realized

gains

(losses) on
capital gain
distributions
from

affiliated
Underlying

Funds

    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Investment Companies

             

Alternative Investment Funds

             

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    1,128,109     $ (524,720   $ 84,374     $ (1,354,538   $ 33,247     $ 9,261,772       3.45
           

 

 

   

Bond Funds

             

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    256,087       (22,562     39,749       23,719       86,205       2,706,836    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    232,790       (48,374     0       39,054       36,425       742,599    

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    714,681       (94,755     0       18,978       227,713       6,675,119    
              10,124,554       3.77  
           

 

 

   

Stock Funds

             

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    153,844       175,610       0       (20,046     44,849       3,706,105    

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    820,540       1,754,758       709,872       726,810       0       8,508,998    

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    181,761       378,230       832,535       509,029       28,936       8,550,041    
              20,765,144       7.75  
           

 

 

   

Short-Term Investments

             

Investment Companies

             

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    768,588       0       0       0       15,632       768,588       0.29  
           

 

 

   

Affiliated securities no longer held at end of period

      (3,235,197     361,732       2,035,945       18,793      
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (1,617,010   $ 2,028,262     $ 1,978,951     $ 491,800     $ 40,920,058       15.26
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, investment activity in affiliates of the Fund was as follows:    

 

    Shares,
beginning
of period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
 

Investment Companies

       

Alternative Investment Funds

       

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    0       1,756,304       (628,195     1,128,109  

Bond Funds

       

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    0       436,221       (180,134     256,087  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    267,234       162,220       (196,664     232,790  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    825,704       426,467       (537,490     714,681  

Stock Funds

       

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    189,463       62,263       (97,882     153,844  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    0       1,242,036       (421,496     820,540  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Institutional Class †*

    1,166,335       181,153       (1,347,488     0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    237,810       100,749       (156,798     181,761  

Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 *

    324,257       40,798       (365,055     0  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund Class R6 *

    0       157,786 **      (157,786     0  

Short-Term Investments

       

Investment Companies

       

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    615,530       55,227,847       (55,074,789     768,588  

 

Non-income-earning security    

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

**

Amount includes 157,103 shares from Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund which merged into Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund at the close of business on September 20, 2019 and became shares of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund.    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:    

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    1.05     1.61   $ 50,686     $ 503,279     $ 201,418     $ 0     $ 2,321     $ 8,996,841    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.24       0.20       598,639       244,650       339,900       0       4,610       11,595,282    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    18.38       18.85       (1,545,107     7,363,799       1,610       1,110,751       7,991       47,834,667    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.97       0.93       1,214,418       (11,190     0       7,092       1,498       6,716,065    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    5.01       5.04       (1,316,350     (249,361     683       321,143       5,030       10,191,800    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    4.58       4.71       (1,233,040     931,318       842       651,050       12,317       25,625,817    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    4.52       4.65       2,330,268       470,007       2,485       1,021,860       22,907       42,399,391    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    3.81       4.06       (317,875     (54,635     560       137,125       5,888       8,487,125    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Portfolio

    1.79       0.44       (52,460     (5,066     53,731       0       271       745,233    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    1.42       1.35       (70,262     143,342       53,176       8,316       450       2,179,802    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.00       0.92       (446,400     (224,248     0       49,793       226       3,714,308    

Wells Fargo U.S. REIT Portfolio *

    6.67       0.00       11,420       79,580       0       18,539       15       0    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ (776,063   $ 9,191,475     $ 654,405     $ 3,325,669     $ 63,524     $ 168,486,331       62.85
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 9.62%                          

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

         75,507      $ 23,043,227  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         35,230        2,330,112  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         106,310        12,507,372  

iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF

         109,595        5,818,398  

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

         138,970        5,235,000  

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

         45,484        1,699,282  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $48,437,624)

            50,633,391  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 85.62%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 62.40%                          

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            42,175,402  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            54,458,047  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            71,812,168  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            10,019,187  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            15,461,516  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            38,539,817  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            63,733,745  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            12,716,900  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            3,515,596  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

            10,254,462  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            5,583,261  
            328,270,101  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 4.46%                          

The Arbitrage Fund Class I

         357,930        4,821,316  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         2,273,771        18,667,657  
            23,488,973  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 9.05%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,205,281        12,739,817  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         1,094,104        3,490,191  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,358,148        31,365,106  
            47,595,114  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 9.71%                          

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class

         383,715        5,748,051  

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

         419,382        14,196,084  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

                                  232,795        5,608,025  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         1,229,533        12,750,258  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         271,839        12,787,291  
            51,089,709  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost 431,941,781)

            450,443,897  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 0.45%          
Investment Companies: 0.45%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.12        2,350,179        2,350,179  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,350,179)

            2,350,179  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  39


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

             Value  
Total investments in securities (Cost $482,729,584)     95.69      $ 503,427,467  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    4.31          22,648,882  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 526,076,349  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

MSCI EAFE Index

     67        6-19-2020      $ 5,345,028      $ 5,780,760      $ 435,732      $ 0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     54        6-19-2020        2,368,634        2,518,830        150,196        0  

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     150        6-19-2020        21,417,234        28,680,750        7,263,516        0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     130        6-19-2020        15,947,183        19,773,000        3,825,817        0  

Short

                 

British Pound Futures

     (268)        6-15-2020        (20,411,517      (20,646,050      0        (234,533

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     (246)        6-19-2020        (13,214,903      (17,131,440      0        (3,916,537

MSCI EAFE Index

     (68)        6-19-2020        (5,311,388      (5,867,040      0        (555,652

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     (55)        6-19-2020        (2,332,520      (2,565,475      0        (232,955

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     (95)        6-19-2020        (11,810,452      (14,449,500      0        (2,639,048
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 11,675,261      $ (7,578,725
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

40  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates    

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:    

 

    Shares,
end of
period
   

Net

realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds

    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
capital gain
distributions
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Investment Companies

             

Alternative Investment Funds

             

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    2,273,771     $ (630,831   $ 168,509     $ (3,070,093   $ 66,183     $ 18,667,657       3.55
           

 

 

   

Bond Funds

             

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    1,205,281       (43,257     184,838       90,064       403,688       12,739,817    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    1,094,104       (120,348     0       102,059       169,925       3,490,191    

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    3,358,148       (193,407     0       (34,026     1,062,165       31,365,106    
              47,595,114       9.05  
           

 

 

   

Stock Funds

             

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    232,795       342,599       0       (47,300     65,808       5,608,025    

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    1,229,533       3,135,272       1,051,836       1,035,394       0       12,750,258    

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    271,839       (4,504,399     1,234,344       6,005,008       42,543       12,787,291    
              31,145,574       5.92  
           

 

 

   

Short-Term Investments

             

Investment Companies

             

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,350,179       0       0       0       39,412       2,350,179       0.45  
           

 

 

   

Affiliated securities no longer held at end of period

      (4,679,210     546,526       2,606,941       23,778      
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (6,693,581   $ 3,186,053     $ 6,688,047     $ 1,873,502     $ 99,758,524       18.97
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, investment activity in affiliates of the Fund was as follows:    

 

    Shares,
beginning
of period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
 

Investment Companies

       

Alternative Investment Funds

       

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    0       3,109,496       (835,725     2,273,771  

Bond Funds

       

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    0       1,882,270       (676,989     1,205,281  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    1,280,953       361,905       (548,754     1,094,104  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    3,972,769       914,971       (1,529,592     3,358,148  

Stock Funds

       

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    285,791       75,644       (128,640     232,795  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    0       1,839,465       (609,932     1,229,533  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Institutional Class †*

    1,795,342       199,962       (1,995,304     0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    363,032       129,628       (220,821     271,839  

Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund Class R6 *

    492,391       48,687       (541,078     0  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund Class R6 *

    0       235,752 **      (235,752     0  

Short-Term Investments

       

Investment Companies

       

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,225,222       82,888,709       (82,763,752     2,350,179  

 

Non-income-earning security    

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

**

Amount includes 235,259 shares from Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund which merged into Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund at the close of business on September 20, 2019 and became shares of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund.    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  41


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER GROWTH BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:    

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    5.07     7.53   $ 461,903     $ 2,125,966     $ 934,352     $ 0     $ 9,911     $ 42,175,402    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    1.15       0.94       3,149,727       870,450       1,583,889       0       20,970       54,458,047    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    28.04       28.30       (1,544,698     10,873,822       485       1,657,268       10,553       71,812,168    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    1.47       1.38       2,133,455       (207,843     0       10,554       9,871       10,019,187    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    7.55       7.64       (1,899,301     (321,635     1,584       482,200       6,263       15,461,516    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    7.02       7.08       (1,645,737     1,553,363       1,962       977,143       15,945       38,539,817    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    6.93       7.00       3,818,852       946,785       5,231       1,526,045       29,837       63,733,745    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    5.78       6.09       (415,243     5,384       1,271       204,944       7,790       12,716,900    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Portfolio

    8.90       2.06       (229,126     (12,626     252,417       0       1,213       3,515,596    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    6.86       6.33       (267,944     649,969       249,585       38,861       1,904       10,254,462    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.00       1.39       (625,324     (313,614     0       74,299       3,666       5,583,261    

Wells Fargo U.S. REIT Portfolio *

    13.80       0.00       23,206       164,647       0       37,650       31       0    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 2,959,770     $ 16,334,668     $ 3,030,776     $ 5,008,964     $ 117,954     $ 328,270,101       62.40
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

42  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER MODERATE BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 8.80%                          

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

         36,592      $ 11,167,147  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         17,208        1,138,137  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         122,736        14,439,890  

iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF

         53,152        2,821,840  

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

         67,312        2,535,643  

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

         22,051        823,825  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $31,663,501)

            32,926,482  
         

 

 

 
Investment Companies: 87.77%                          

Affiliated Master Portfolios: 61.97%

         

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            48,408,211  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            62,399,707  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            34,678,160  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            4,826,725  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            7,506,626  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            18,616,909  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            30,811,455  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            6,132,443  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            3,984,624  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

            11,756,739  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            2,708,934  
            231,830,533  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 4.63%                          

The Arbitrage Fund Class I

         261,836        3,526,926  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,678,925        13,783,975  
            17,310,901  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 14.57%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,390,130        14,693,669  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         1,249,171        3,984,855  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,835,329        35,821,977  
            54,500,501  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 6.60%                          

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class

         185,584        2,780,044  

Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

         202,622        6,858,754  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         112,546        2,711,234  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         594,523        6,165,200  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

                                  131,364        6,179,364  
            24,694,596  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $320,960,199)

            328,336,531  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 0.29%                          
Investment Companies: 0.29%                          

Wells Fargo Governement Money Market Fund Select Class (I)(u)

    0.12        1,087,098        1,087,098  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,087,098)

            1,087,098  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER MODERATE BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

             Value  
Total investments in securities (Cost $353,710,798)     96.86      $ 362,350,111  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    3.14          11,774,458  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 374,124,569  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

MSCI EAFE Index

     32        6-19-2020      $ 2,551,142      $ 2,760,960      $ 209,818      $ 0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     26        6-19-2020        1,287,162        1,212,770        0        (74,392

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     111        6-19-2020        15,842,877        21,223,755        5,380,878        0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     80        6-19-2020        9,582,234        12,168,000        2,585,766        0  

Short

                 

British Pound Futures

     (192)        6-15-2020        (14,622,942      (14,791,200      0        (168,258

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     (181)        6-19-2020        (9,496,349      (12,604,840      0        (3,108,491

MSCI EAFE Index

     (33)        6-19-2020        (2,382,500      (2,847,240      0        (464,740

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     (26)        6-19-2020        (1,285,973      (1,212,770      73,203        0  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     (55)        6-19-2020        (7,084,758      (8,365,500      0        (1,280,742
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 8,249,665      ($ 5,096,623
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER MODERATE BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:    

 

    Shares,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
capital gain
distributions
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Investment Companies

             

Alternative Investment Funds

             

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    1,678,925     $ (256,992   $ 121,111     $ (2,418,078   $ 47,723     $ 13,783,975       3.68
           

 

 

   

Bond Funds

             

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    1,390,130       (49,067     207,417       85,401       454,944       14,693,669    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    1,249,171       (76,865     0       70,037       193,170       3,984,855    

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    3,835,329       (76,923     0       (166,668     1,207,729       35,821,977    
              54,500,501       14.57  
           

 

 

   

Stock Funds

             

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    112,546       182,140       0       (26,834     31,633       2,711,234    

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    594,523       1,786,286       500,982       463,728       0       6,165,200    

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    131,364       61,056       587,162       699,962       20,411       6,179,364    
              15,055,798       4.02  
           

 

 

   

Short-Term Investments

             

Investment Companies

             

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    1,087,098       0       0       0       17,152       1,087,098       0.29  
           

 

 

   

Affiliated securities no longer held at end of period

      (2,171,040     269,535       957,020       10,267      
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (601,405   $ 1,686,207     $ (335,432   $ 1,983,029     $ 84,427,372       22.56
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER MODERATE BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, investment activity in affiliates of the Fund was as follows:    

 

    Shares,
beginning
of period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
    Shares,
end of
period
 

Investment Companies

       

Alternative Investment Funds

       

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

    0       1,969,796       (290,871     1,678,925  

Bond Funds

       

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    0       1,870,662       (480,532     1,390,130  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    1,463,296       210,503       (424,628     1,249,171  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

    4,541,647       434,712       (1,141,030     3,835,329  

Stock Funds

       

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    137,771       27,445       (52,670     112,546  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    0       866,178       (271,655     594,523  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Institutional Class†*

    871,727       7,853       (879,580     0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    175,467       51,040       (95,143     131,364  

Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund Class R6*

    237,364       24,483       (261,847     0  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund Class R6 *

    0       115,504 **      (115,504     0  

Short-Term Investments

       

Investment Companies

       

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    884,814       43,814,792       (43,612,508     1,087,098  

 

Non-income-earning security    

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

**

Amount represents 115,504 shares from Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund which merged into Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund at the close of business on September 20, 2019 and became shares of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund.    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—May 31, 2020

 

WELLS FARGO WEALTHBUILDER MODERATE BALANCED FUND

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    5.80     8.64   $ 732,891     $ 2,220,305     $ 1,067,381     $ 0     $ 11,275     $ 48,408,211    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    1.31       1.08       3,839,688       774,344       1,811,864       0       23,918       62,399,707    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    13.55       13.67       (571,662     5,211,548       1,463       798,489       5,078       34,678,160    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.71       0.67       1,218,172       (259,332     0       5,071       4,752       4,826,725    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    3.66       3.71       (891,914     (148,394     1,029       232,685       3,025       7,506,626    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    3.40       3.42       (728,273     761,326       1,602       473,646       7,684       18,616,909    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    3.36       3.38       1,955,451       459,751       3,608       736,112       14,373       30,811,455    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    2.79       2.94       (179,592     17,502       827       98,875       3,749       6,132,443    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

    10.80       2.33       (243,531     (12,597     286,924       0       1,375       3,984,624    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    7.84       7.25       (258,365     722,340       286,511       44,408       2,169       11,756,739    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.00       0.67       (288,109     (149,680     0       35,931       1,755       2,708,934    

Wells Fargo U.S. REIT Portfolio *

    10.09       0.00       16,896       120,605       0       27,368       23       0    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 4,601,652     $ 9,717,718     $ 3,461,209     $ 2,452,585     $ 79,176     $ 231,830,533       61.97
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  47


Table of Contents

Statements of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

     WealthBuilder
Conservative
Allocation Fund
       WealthBuilder
Equity Fund
 

Assets

      

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (see cost below)

  $ 143,188,142        $ 243,641,516  

Investments in unaffiliated Underlying Funds and securities, at value (see cost below)

    23,764,249          64,712,272  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (see cost below)

    62,063,039          36,808,114  

Cash

    111,671          144,947  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    4,808,574          25,578,618  

Receivable for investments sold

    0          34,384  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    955,853          72,134  

Receivable for dividends

    12,927          0  

Receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    238,900          315,555  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    53,664          44,761  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    235,197,019          371,352,301  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

      

Payable for investments purchased

    1,358          0  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    499,467          149,670  

Management fee payable

    39,252          70,655  

Administration fees payable

    41,087          63,430  

Distribution fee payable

    133,481          198,040  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    48,723          75,067  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    3,065          22,208  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    766,433          579,070  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 234,430,586        $ 370,773,231  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 220,338,406        $ 314,402,396  

Total distributable earnings

    14,092,180          56,370,835  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 234,430,586        $ 370,773,231  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

      

Net assets – Class A

  $ 21,255,760        $ 44,713,949  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    2,043,536          2,405,902  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $10.40          $18.59  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $11.03          $19.72  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 212,465,043        $ 323,778,078  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    20,506,713          17,551,171  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $10.36          $18.45  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 709,783        $ 2,281,204  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    68,295          122,541  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $10.39          $18.62  

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at cost

  $ 137,864,359        $ 230,812,067  
 

 

 

 

Investments in unaffiliated Underlying Funds and securities, at cost

  $ 22,542,341        $ 58,754,924  
 

 

 

 

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at cost

  $ 63,235,299        $ 32,533,048  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

Each Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

48  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Statements of assets and liabilities—May 31, 2020

 

WealthBuilder
Growth Allocation
Fund
    WealthBuilder
Growth Balanced
Fund
    WealthBuilder
Moderate Balanced
Fund
 
   
$ 168,486,331     $ 328,270,101     $ 231,830,533  
  43,595,224       75,398,842       46,092,206  
  40,920,058       99,758,524       84,427,372  
  134,473       243,463       180,349  
  14,968,561       23,331,719       12,185,811  
  61,142       45,396       0  
  65,002       59,431       44,998  
  2,767       13,005       14,848  
  253,880       513,988       377,013  
  104,190       1,998       108,589  

 

 

 
  268,591,628       527,636,467       375,261,719  

 

 

 
   
  0       0       1,625  
  207,170       895,950       704,745  
  46,012       107,213       70,955  
  46,117       91,327       65,205  
  148,488       296,393       211,841  
  54,678       108,295       77,185  
  3,984       60,940       5,594  

 

 

 
  506,449       1,560,118       1,137,150  

 

 

 
$ 268,085,179     $ 526,076,349     $ 374,124,569  

 

 

 
   
$ 235,848,131     $ 471,030,305     $ 343,358,531  
  32,237,048       55,046,044       30,766,038  

 

 

 
$ 268,085,179     $ 526,076,349     $ 374,124,569  

 

 

 
   
$ 25,089,238     $ 46,133,399     $ 31,964,802  
  1,975,322       3,651,043       2,926,595  
  $12.70       $12.64       $10.92  
  $13.47       $13.41       $11.59  
$ 241,980,410     $ 477,997,615     $ 339,481,573  
  18,672,204       37,126,990       30,475,343  
  $12.96       $12.87       $11.14  
$ 1,015,531     $ 1,945,335     $ 2,678,194  
  79,982       153,879       244,788  
  $12.70       $12.64       $10.94  
$ 160,647,803     $ 315,974,653     $ 224,350,276  

 

 

 
$ 40,497,250     $ 70,379,212     $ 43,350,686  

 

 

 
$ 41,076,045     $ 96,375,719     $ 86,009,836  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  49


Table of Contents

Statements of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

     WealthBuilder
Conservative
Allocation Fund
       WealthBuilder
Equity Fund
 

Investment income

      

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

  $ 2,833,627        $ 12,302  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

    1,580,608          208,278  

Dividends from unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    851,843          1,756,284  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios*

    767,636          5,708,953  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    43,455          98,069  

Interest

    5,042          18,823  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (387,922        (756,273

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    26,231          73,299  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    5,720,520          7,119,735  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

      

Management fee

    599,080          971,824  

Administration fees

      

Class A

    37,005          92,789  

Class C

    464,865          719,953  

Institutional Class

    841          2,223  

Shareholder servicing fees

      

Class A

    44,053          110,452  

Class C

    553,239          856,913  

Distribution fee

      

Class C

    1,659,614          2,569,581  

Custody and accounting fees

    55,800          51,207  

Professional fees

    32,896          33,954  

Registration fees

    51,939          52,409  

Shareholder report expenses

    36,198          46,627  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,315          21,793  

Other fees and expenses

    12,850          12,653  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,569,695          5,542,378  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

      

Fund-level

    (114,671        (61,303

Class A

    (38        (316

Class C

    0          0  

Institutional Class

    (56        (27
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    3,454,930          5,480,732  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,265,590          1,639,003  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      

Net realized gains (losses) on

      

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    3,332,455          (2,852,558

Unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    489,838          (3,439,496

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    267,198          (1,632,584

Futures contracts

    2,224,831          29,099,079  

Capital gain distributions from unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    61,612          110,028  

Capital gain distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds

    646,993          3,306,301  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    7,022,927          24,590,770  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

      

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    5,929,810          15,025,082  

Unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    1,043,004          1,627,508  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    (1,190,149        5,449,301  

Futures contracts

    1,523,949          (413,383
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7,306,614          21,688,508  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    14,329,541          46,279,278  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 16,595,131        $ 47,918,281  
 

 

 

 

* Net of foreign withholding taxes allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios in the amount of

    $39,567          $308,039  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

50  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Statements of operations—year ended May 31, 2020

 

WealthBuilder
Growth Allocation
Fund
    WealthBuilder
Growth Balanced
Fund
    WealthBuilder
Moderate Balanced
Fund
 
   
$ 654,405     $ 3,030,776     $ 3,461,209  
  491,800       1,873,502       1,983,029  
  1,194,926       2,285,343       1,534,474  
  3,325,669       5,008,964       2,452,585  
  63,524       117,954       79,176  
  11,370       19,749       3,758  
  (504,330     (965,727     (672,090
  46,730       81,948       51,410  

 

 

 
  5,284,094       11,452,509       8,893,551  

 

 

 
   
  695,397       1,382,589       996,938  
   
  50,700       96,954       67,998  
  531,591       1,061,764       764,761  
  1,140       1,644       2,890  
   
  60,357       115,418       80,947  
  632,736       1,263,698       910,301  
   
  1,897,466       3,790,964       2,730,873  
  45,512       63,441       54,395  
  33,332       33,333       33,387  
  52,801       61,725       54,620  
  45,949       65,792       51,254  
  20,836       20,836       20,740  
  10,207       15,666       15,307  

 

 

 
  4,078,024       7,973,824       5,784,411  
   
  (96,149     (38,449     (69,909
  (209     (8     (19
  (169     0       (66
  (8     (122     0  

 

 

 
  3,981,489       7,935,245       5,714,417  

 

 

 
  1,302,605       3,517,264       3,179,134  

 

 

 
   
   
  (776,063     2,959,770       4,601,652  
  (1,723,459     (1,467,280     114,670  
  (1,617,010     (6,693,581     (601,405
  14,991,824       21,729,859       9,672,866  
  120,296       162,984       125,563  
  2,028,262       3,186,053       1,686,207  

 

 

 
  13,023,850       19,877,805       15,599,553  

 

 

 
   
  9,191,475       16,334,668       9,717,718  
  1,135,074       2,145,232       1,307,237  
  1,978,951       6,688,047       (335,432
  1,575,746       2,900,461       2,334,704  

 

 

 
  13,881,246       28,068,408       13,024,227  

 

 

 
  26,905,096       47,946,213       28,623,780  

 

 

 
$ 28,207,701     $ 51,463,477     $ 31,802,914  

 

 

 
  $178,205       $267,410       $125,558  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

    WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund  
     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 2,265,590       $ 4,080,869  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      7,022,927         (1,566,995

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      7,306,614         5,111,778  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      16,595,131         7,625,652  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (296,807       (740,750

Class C

      (2,755,368       (13,613,959

Institutional Class

      (12,973       (19,276 )1 
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (3,065,148       (14,373,985
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    784,255       7,929,477       1,700,659       16,886,758  

Class C

    1,484,720       14,624,150       1,017,500       9,885,420  

Institutional Class

    154,637       1,542,234       164,577 1      1,588,897 1 
 

 

 

 
      24,095,861         28,361,075  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    29,412       296,366       77,627       739,314  

Class C

    271,115       2,729,197       1,428,610       13,593,433  

Institutional Class

    1,242       12,499       1,871 1      17,747 1 
 

 

 

 
      3,038,062         14,350,494  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (424,008     (4,271,019     (575,232     (5,636,147

Class C

    (5,428,685     (54,474,256     (10,033,613     (99,336,835

Institutional Class

    (131,864     (1,316,978     (122,168 )1      (1,191,536 )1 
 

 

 

 
      (60,062,253       (106,164,518
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (32,928,330       (63,452,949
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (19,398,347       (70,201,282
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      253,828,933         324,030,215  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 234,430,586       $ 253,828,933  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of changes in net assets

 

    WealthBuilder Equity Fund  
     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 1,639,003       $ 1,652,557  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      24,590,770         (712,896

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      21,688,508         (14,986,965
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      47,918,281         (14,047,304
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (567,930       (6,781,481

Class C

      (1,552,546       (65,563,410

Institutional Class

      (29,699       (167,781 )1 
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (2,150,175       (72,512,672
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    298,353       5,199,857       2,426,481       48,555,252  

Class C

    359,085       6,260,353       945,150       17,736,143  

Institutional Class

    160,349       2,796,790       178,964 1      3,217,616 1 
 

 

 

 
      14,257,000         69,509,011  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    30,298       567,646       422,258       6,777,270  

Class C

    83,857       1,551,446       4,131,618       65,508,147  

Institutional Class

    1,565       29,353       10,174 1      163,731 1 
 

 

 

 
      2,148,445         72,449,148  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (500,951     (8,818,583     (464,860     (8,044,037

Class C

    (4,600,956     (80,224,929     (7,536,636     (141,072,542

Institutional Class

    (110,171     (1,953,391     (118,340 )1      (1,982,012 )1 
 

 

 

 
      (90,996,903       (151,098,591
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (74,591,458       (9,140,432
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (28,823,352       (95,700,408
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      399,596,583         495,296,991  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 370,773,231       $ 399,596,583  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of changes in net assets

 

    WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund  
     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 1,302,605       $ 1,893,837  

Net realized gains on investments

      13,023,850         2,081,536  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      13,881,246         (7,510,599
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      28,207,701         (3,535,226
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (354,829       (3,138,679

Class C

      (1,568,479       (42,918,189

Institutional Class

      (19,520       (61,181 )1 
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (1,942,828       (46,118,049
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    328,720       4,010,239       2,036,222       27,117,968  

Class C

    732,564       9,057,872       847,865       10,888,924  

Institutional Class

    255,491       3,119,078       265,048 1      3,276,689 1 
 

 

 

 
      16,187,189         41,283,581  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    27,608       352,213       279,666       3,134,820  

Class C

    120,114       1,566,754       3,772,440       42,874,982  

Institutional Class

    1,501       19,123       5,132 1      57,371 1 
 

 

 

 
      1,938,090         46,067,173  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (405,547     (4,933,473     (436,105     (5,180,494

Class C

    (4,402,354     (54,313,865     (7,662,224     (100,301,573

Institutional Class

    (237,408     (2,898,904     (209,782 )1      (2,567,803 )1 
 

 

 

 
      (62,146,242       (108,049,870
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (44,020,963       (20,699,116
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (17,756,090       (70,352,391
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      285,841,269         356,193,660  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 268,085,179       $ 285,841,269  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of changes in net assets

 

    WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund  
     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 3,517,264       $ 5,810,457  

Net realized gains on investments

      19,877,805         2,633,923  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      28,068,408         (6,982,520
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      51,463,477         1,461,860  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (813,632       (5,344,460

Class C

      (4,579,863       (69,709,208

Institutional Class

      (28,805       (77,211 )1 
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (5,422,300       (75,130,879
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    470,169       5,729,591       4,148,800       54,057,256  

Class C

    736,920       9,120,542       1,419,289       17,942,360  

Institutional Class

    450,633       5,535,084       336,006 1      4,026,264 1 
 

 

 

 
      20,385,217         76,025,880  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    64,744       813,231       474,395       5,341,393  

Class C

    356,445       4,574,503       6,102,231       69,643,294  

Institutional Class

    2,256       28,316       6,601 1      74,079 1 
 

 

 

 
      5,416,050         75,058,766  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (867,171     (10,544,636     (868,338     (10,442,394

Class C

    (9,473,999     (117,217,925     (16,626,587     (212,253,060

Institutional Class

    (390,561     (4,802,340     (251,056 )1      (2,984,069 )1 
 

 

 

 
      (132,564,901       (225,679,523
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (106,763,634       (74,594,877
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (60,722,457       (148,263,896
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      586,798,806         735,062,702  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 526,076,349       $ 586,798,806  
 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

    WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund  
     Year ended
May 31, 2020
    Year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 3,179,134       $ 5,712,499  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      15,599,553         (271,218

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      13,024,227         1,545,191  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      31,802,914         6,986,472  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (890,327       (2,146,382

Class C

      (7,430,688       (30,232,848

Institutional Class

      (71,252       (74,178 )1 
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (8,392,267       (32,453,408
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    495,127       5,210,475       3,677,957       39,561,183  

Class C

    635,339       6,853,024       1,228,264       13,112,373  

Institutional Class

    478,608       5,104,224       569,268 1      5,892,542 1 
 

 

 

 
      17,167,723         58,566,098  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    83,080       889,538       214,360       2,144,579  

Class C

    677,973       7,425,458       2,974,197       30,204,676  

Institutional Class

    6,589       70,517       7,289 1      72,276 1 
 

 

 

 
      8,385,513         32,421,531  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (963,431     (10,195,020     (829,255     (8,576,195

Class C

    (8,292,697     (89,328,473     (17,126,410     (185,476,591

Institutional Class

    (416,582     (4,444,469     (400,384 )1      (4,155,113 )1 
 

 

 

 
      (103,967,962       (198,207,899
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (78,414,726       (107,220,270
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (55,004,079       (132,687,206
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      429,128,648         561,815,854  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 374,124,569       $ 429,128,648  
 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

    Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 
  

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

                                                  

Class A

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 9.82       0.16       0.59       (0.17     0.00     $ 10.40  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 10.05       0.18       0.18       (0.19     (0.40   $ 9.82  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 10.52       0.20       0.02       (0.19     (0.50   $ 10.05  

Year ended May 31, 20174

  $ 10.34       0.04       0.18       (0.04     0.00     $ 10.52  

Class C5

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 9.81       0.09       0.58       (0.12     0.00     $ 10.36  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 10.06       0.14 6      0.13       (0.12     (0.40   $ 9.81  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 10.51       0.11       0.04       (0.10     (0.50   $ 10.06  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 10.33       0.07       0.38       (0.10     (0.17   $ 10.51  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 10.82       0.07       (0.20     (0.08     (0.28   $ 10.33  

Institutional Class

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 9.80       0.21       0.57       (0.19     0.00     $ 10.39  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 10.15       0.15       0.12       (0.22     (0.40   $ 9.80  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Year ended May 31  
    2020        2019        2018        2017        2016  

Class A

    0.15        0.16        0.13        0.11 %4         N/A  

Class C5

    0.15        0.16        0.13        0.11        0.11

Institutional Class

    0.15        0.16 %7         N/A          N/A          N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

5 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

6 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

58  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
    Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)
 
Net investment
income
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                                
         
  1.61     0.80     0.75     7.72     197   $ 21,256  
  2.15     0.79     0.75     3.84     183   $ 16,242  
  1.81     0.77     0.75     2.05     192   $ 4,532  
  1.34     0.76     0.75     2.14     175   $ 4,468  
                  
  0.89     1.55     1.50     6.90     197   $ 212,465  
  1.41     1.54     1.50     2.89     183   $ 237,153  
  1.05     1.52     1.50     1.37     192   $ 319,498  
  0.72     1.50     1.50     4.42     175   $ 425,400  
  0.68     1.51     1.50     (1.11 )%      198   $ 523,832  
                  
  1.96     0.47     0.42     8.07     197   $ 710  
  1.61     0.46     0.42     2.95     183   $ 434  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

    Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income (loss)
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 
  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

                                                  

Class A

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 16.52       0.19       2.11       (0.19     (0.04   $ 18.59  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 20.55       0.17 4      (0.81     (0.26     (3.13   $ 16.52  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 21.41       0.10       2.59       0.00       (3.55   $ 20.55  

Year ended May 31, 20175

  $ 20.15       (0.02 )4      1.28       0.00       0.00     $ 21.41  

Class C6

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 16.39       0.07       2.07       (0.04     (0.04   $ 18.45  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 20.33       0.06       (0.82     (0.05     (3.13   $ 16.39  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 21.36       (0.02 )4      2.54       0.00       (3.55   $ 20.33  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 18.25       (0.07     3.19       0.00       (0.01   $ 21.36  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 19.44       (0.08     (1.11     0.00       0.00     $ 18.25  

Institutional Class

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 16.55       0.29       2.07       (0.25     (0.04   $ 18.62  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 21.08       0.14       (1.26     (0.28     (3.13   $ 16.55  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliates Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Year Ended May 31  
    2020        2019        2018        2017        2016  

Class A

    0.18        0.18        0.12        0.12 %5         N/A  

Class C6

    0.18        0.18        0.12        0.12        0.12

Institutional Class

    0.18        0.18 %7         N/A          N/A          N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2017

 

6 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
    Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)
 
Net investment
income (loss)
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                                
         
  1.08     0.77     0.75     13.91     71   $ 44,714  
  0.97     0.76     0.75     (2.35 )%      78   $ 42,588  
  0.75     0.75     0.75     12.61     63   $ 3,993  
  (0.30 )%      0.75     0.75     6.25     30   $ 1,669  
                  
  0.33     1.52     1.50     13.06     71   $ 323,778  
  0.32     1.51     1.50     (3.16 )%      78   $ 355,837  
  (0.10 )%      1.50     1.50     11.80     63   $ 491,304  
  (0.37 )%      1.50     1.50     17.07     30   $ 532,454  
  (0.46 )%      1.51     1.50     (6.12 )%      27   $ 423,109  
                  
  1.40     0.44     0.42     14.26     71   $ 2,281  
  1.40     0.43     0.42     (4.54 )%      78   $ 1,172  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

       Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income (loss)
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 
  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

                                                  

Class A

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.57       0.15       1.17       (0.18     (0.01   $ 12.70  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 13.88       0.14 4      (0.30     (0.23     (1.92   $ 11.57  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.60       0.12       1.39       (0.30     (1.93   $ 13.88  

Year ended May 31, 20175

  $ 13.92       0.01 4      0.67       0.00       0.00     $ 14.60  

Class C6

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.78       0.06       1.20       (0.07     (0.01   $ 12.96  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 14.02       0.08       (0.33     (0.07     (1.92   $ 11.78  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.58       0.04       1.34       (0.01     (1.93   $ 14.02  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 13.39       (0.01 )4      1.84       0.00       (0.64   $ 14.58  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 14.92       (0.01     (0.71     (0.04     (0.77   $ 13.39  

Institutional Class

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.57       0.16       1.20       (0.22     (0.01   $ 12.70  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 14.20       0.18       (0.65     (0.24     (1.92   $ 11.57  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Year ended May 31  
    2020        2019        2018        2017        2016  

Class A

    0.16        0.17        0.12        0.11 %5         N/A  

Class C6

    0.16        0.17        0.12        0.11        0.11

Institutional Class

    0.16        0.17 %7         N/A          N/A          N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

6 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

62  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
    Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)
 
Net investment
income (loss)
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                                
                  
  1.14     0.79     0.75     11.34     98   $ 25,089  
  1.20     0.78     0.75     (0.38 )%      97   $ 23,420  
  1.07     0.78     0.75     10.33     93   $ 2,009  
  0.16     0.76     0.75     4.89     58   $ 357  
                  
  0.40     1.53     1.50     10.67     98   $ 241,980  
  0.56     1.52     1.50     (1.12 )%      97   $ 261,722  
  0.26     1.51     1.50     9.45     93   $ 354,185  
  (0.06 )%      1.51     1.50     14.05     58   $ 402,997  
  (0.06 )%      1.51     1.50     (4.79 )%      59   $ 429,628  
                  
  1.44     0.46     0.42     11.71     98   $ 1,016  
  1.84     0.45     0.42     (2.47 )%      97   $ 699  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  63


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

    Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 
  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

                                                  

Class A

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.64       0.15       1.07       (0.21     (0.01   $ 12.64  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 13.27       0.18 4      (0.14     (0.23     (1.44   $ 11.64  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.24       0.19 4      0.89       (0.42     (1.63   $ 13.27  

Year ended May 31, 20175

  $ 13.68       0.01       0.55       0.00       0.00     $ 14.24  

Class C6

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.85       0.08       1.06       (0.11     (0.01   $ 12.87  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 13.40       0.11       (0.14     (0.08     (1.44   $ 11.85  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.21       0.09       0.87       (0.14     (1.63   $ 13.40  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 13.29       0.05       1.40       0.00       (0.53   $ 14.21  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 14.52       0.03       (0.53     (0.06     (0.67   $ 13.29  

Institutional Class

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.65       0.25       1.01       (0.26     (0.01   $ 12.64  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 13.52       0.15       (0.33     (0.25     (1.44   $ 11.65  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Year ended May 31  
    2020        2019        2018        2017        2016  

Class A

    0.16        0.17        0.12        0.11 %5         N/A  

Class C6

    0.16        0.17        0.12        0.11        0.11

Institutional Class

    0.16        0.16 %7         N/A          N/A          N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

6 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
    Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)
 
Net investment
income
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                             
         
  1.31     0.76     0.75     10.49     131   $ 46,133  
  1.51     0.76     0.75     1.02     126   $ 46,380  
  1.33     0.75     0.75     7.51     129   $ 3,031  
  0.54     0.74     0.74     4.09     102   $ 1,464  
         
  0.57     1.51     1.50     9.58     131   $ 477,998  
  0.84     1.50     1.50     0.31     126   $ 539,352  
  0.56     1.50     1.50     6.65     129   $ 732,031  
  0.30     1.49     1.49     11.14     102   $ 867,751  
  0.26     1.49     1.49     (3.39 )%      100   $ 966,932  
         
  1.63     0.43     0.42     10.78     131   $ 1,945  
  1.38     0.43     0.42     (0.62 )%      126   $ 1,067  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  65


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

    Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 
  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

                                                  

Class A

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 10.30       0.15       0.76       (0.21     (0.08   $ 10.92  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 10.90       0.19 4      0.03       (0.18     (0.64   $ 10.30  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 11.83       0.18 4      0.40       (0.50     (1.01   $ 10.90  

Year ended May 31, 20175

  $ 11.56       0.07       0.28       (0.08     0.00     $ 11.83  

Class C6

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 10.50       0.09       0.77       (0.14     (0.08   $ 11.14  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 11.10       0.12 4      0.02       (0.10     (0.64   $ 10.50  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 11.83       0.09       0.41       (0.22     (1.01   $ 11.10  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 11.40       0.06       0.80       (0.08     (0.35   $ 11.83  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 12.19       0.05       (0.30     (0.07     (0.47   $ 11.40  

Institutional Class

                    

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 10.32       0.20       0.74       (0.24     (0.08   $ 10.94  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 11.06       0.14       (0.04     (0.20     (0.64   $ 10.32  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Year ended May 31  
    2020        2019        2018        2017        2016  

Class A

    0.16        0.16        0.13        0.11 %5         N/A  

Class C6

    0.16        0.17        0.13        0.11        0.11

Institutional Class

    0.16        0.16 %7         N/A          N/A          N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

6 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

66  |  Multi-Asset Funds


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Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
    Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)
 
Net investment
income
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                             
         
  1.47     0.77     0.75     8.95     162   $ 31,965  
  1.81     0.76     0.75     2.40     155   $ 34,104  
  1.58     0.75     0.75     4.87     161   $ 2,712  
  1.03     0.74     0.74     3.06     136   $ 800  
         
  0.73     1.52     1.50     8.24     162   $ 339,482  
  1.13     1.51     1.50     1.58     155   $ 393,207  
  0.81     1.50     1.50     4.11     161   $ 559,104  
  0.52     1.49     1.49     7.75     136   $ 707,284  
  0.48     1.49     1.49     (2.02 )%      150   $ 833,218  
         
  1.80     0.44     0.42     9.26     162   $ 2,678  
  1.37     0.43     0.42     1.28     155   $ 1,817  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Multi-Asset Funds  |  67


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the following funds: Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund (“WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund”), Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund (“WealthBuilder Equity Fund”), Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund (“WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund”), Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund (“WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund”) and Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund (“WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund”) (each, a “Fund”, collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund is a diversified series of the Trust.

Each Fund is a fund-of-funds that may invest in various affiliated mutual funds, unaffiliated mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”) to pursue its investment objective. Each Fund may also invest directly in securities. The Underlying Funds incur separate expenses in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in affiliated mutual funds may also include investments in one or more separate diversified portfolios (each, an “affiliated Master Portfolio”, collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities, and each Fund investing in an affiliated Master Portfolio acquires an indirect interest in those securities. Each Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements for the Underlying Funds are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained by contacting Investor Services for the affiliated mutual funds or by contacting the servicing agent of the unaffiliated mutual funds. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov and are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust. The financial statements for all other Underlying Funds are also publicly available on the SEC website at sec.gov.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of each Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Funds may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued at net asset per share as reported by the Underlying Funds as of the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading. Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on each Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Funds’ Valuation Procedures.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Investments which are not valued using the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Funds. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

 

 

68  |  Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

 

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between each Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. A Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates, security values, and foreign exchange rates and is subject to interest rate risk, equity price risk, and/or foreign currency risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Each Fund records on a daily basis its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses. Income from foreign securities in each affiliated Master Portfolio is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Income dividends and capital gain distributions from Underlying Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions from Underlying Funds are treated as realized gains.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date for each Fund as follows:

 

      Net investment income      Net realized gains  

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

     Monthly        Annually  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     Annually        Annually  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     Annually        Annually  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     Annually        Annually  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     Quarterly        Annually  

Federal and other taxes

Each Fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

Each Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed each Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes and the unrealized gains (losses) were as follows:

 

      Tax cost      Gross
unrealized
gains
     Gross
unrealized
losses
     Net
unrealized
gains
 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

   $ 225,099,134      $ 8,623,811      $ (2,718,065    $ 5,905,746  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     328,503,710        32,744,154        (16,105,497      16,638,657  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     246,617,939        17,321,006        (8,767,695      8,553,311  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     491,824,090        27,529,234        (11,829,321      15,699,913  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     355,064,743        15,526,413        (5,088,003      10,438,410  

Reclassifications are made to each Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. At May 31, 2020, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities:

 

        Paid-in
capital
       Total distributable
earnings
 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

     $ (650      $ 650  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

       (151        151  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

       (715        715  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

       (802        802  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by each Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of each Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Each Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing each Fund’s assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2020:

 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund    Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 18,490,181      $ 0      $ 0      $ 18,490,181  

Investment companies

     66,360,386        0        0        66,360,386  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     976,721        0        0        976,721  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                143,188,142  
     85,827,288        0        0        229,015,430  

Futures contracts

     5,172,169        0        0        5,172,169  

Total assets

   $ 90,999,457      $ 0      $ 0      $ 234,187,599  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 3,182,719      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,182,719  

Total liabilities

   $ 3,182,719      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,182,719  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $143,188,142. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

WealthBuilder Equity Fund    Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 42,483,753      $ 0      $ 0      $ 42,483,753  

Investment companies

     56,815,936        0        0        56,815,936  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,220,697        0        0        2,220,697  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                243,641,516  
     101,520,386        0        0        345,161,902  

Futures contracts

     6,229,532        0        0        6,229,532  

Total assets

   $ 107,749,918      $ 0      $ 0      $ 351,391,434  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 6,249,067      $ 0      $ 0      $ 6,249,067  

Total liabilities

   $ 6,249,067      $ 0      $ 0      $ 6,249,067  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $243,641,516. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

 

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WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund    Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 27,995,805      $ 0      $ 0      $ 27,995,805  

Investment companies

     55,750,889        0        0        55,750,889  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     768,588        0        0        768,588  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                168,486,331  
     84,515,282        0        0        253,001,613  

Futures contracts

     6,079,215        0        0        6,079,215  

Total assets

   $ 90,594,497      $ 0      $ 0      $ 259,080,828  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 3,909,578        0        0      $ 3,909,578  

Total liabilities

   $ 3,909,578      $ 0      $ 0      $ 3,909,578  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $168,486,331. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund    Quoted
prices (Level
1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 50,633,391      $ 0      $ 0      $ 50,633,391  

Investment companies

     122,173,796        0        0        122,173,796  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,350,179        0        0        2,350,179  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                328,270,101  
     175,157,366        0        0        503,427,467  

Futures contracts

     11,675,261        0        0        11,675,261  

Total assets

   $ 186,832,627      $ 0      $ 0      $ 515,102,728  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 7,578,725      $ 0      $ 0      $ 7,578,725  

Total liabilities

   $ 7,578,725      $ 0      $ 0      $ 7,578,725  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $328,270,101. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

 

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WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund    Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 32,926,482      $ 0      $ 0      $ 32,926,482  

Investment companies

     96,505,998        0        0        96,505,998  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     1,087,098        0        0        1,087,098  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                231,830,533  
     130,519,578        0        0        362,350,111  

Futures contracts

     8,249,665        0        0        8,249,665  

Total assets

   $ 138,769,243      $ 0      $ 0      $ 370,599,776  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 5,096,623      $ 0      $ 0      $ 5,096,623  

Total liabilities

   $ 5,096,623      $ 0      $ 0      $ 5,096,623  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $231,830,533. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the tables following each Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the Funds did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Bloomberg Barclays

U.S. ex-Corporate Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo Factor

Enhanced Emerging Markets Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo Factor

Enhanced International Index (Net), before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo Factor

Enhanced Large Cap Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo Factor

Enhanced Small Cap Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo U.S. High

Yield Bond Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

 

 

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4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo), is the manager of each Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of each Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with each Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $1 billion

     0.250%  

Next $4 billion

     0.225     

Next $5 billion

     0.190     

Over $10 billion

     0.180     

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Funds. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to each Fund and is entitled to receive an annual subadvisory fee of 0.15% of each Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from each affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to each Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for each Fund. When each class of a Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Acquired fund fees and expenses (including net expenses from affiliated Master Portfolios) are excluded from the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2020 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap each Fund’s expenses at 0.75% for Class A shares, 1.50% for Class C shares, and 0.42% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan for Class C shares of the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter of each Fund, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2020, Funds Distributor received front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges from the following Funds:

 

     Front-end
sales charges
     Contingent deferred
sales charges
 
      Class A      Class C  

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

   $ 2,829      $ 1,210  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     4,096        2,812  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     4,929        2,029  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     6,105        5,161  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     2,564        1,294  

No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A shares of each Fund for the year ended May 31, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A and Class C of each Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing some of their investable assets in affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying each Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities in which the Funds invest are actual aggregate purchases and sales of those investments.

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

       Purchases at cost        Sales proceeds  
       

U.S.

government

       Non-U.S.
government
      

U.S.

government

       Non-U.S.
government
 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

     $ 329,773,013        $ 142,981,911        $ 337,752,633        $ 168,772,665  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

       0          264,031,957          0          333,604,006  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

       70,389,846          236,005,664          72,092,446          311,384,325  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

       330,538,828          375,554,712          338,530,883          457,025,393  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

       378,797,366          261,433,007          387,962,909          317,981,374  

6. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended May 31, 2020, the following Funds entered into futures contracts for to gain market exposure to certain

asset classes consistent with an active asset allocation strategy. The volume of each Fund’s futures contracts during the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Average notional balance  
       

Long

futures

      

Short

futures

 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

     $ 19,566,633        $ 16,677,748  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

       31,722,509          36,732,918  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

       30,293,742          27,470,641  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

       57,437,943          51,580,276  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

       33,235,369          28,897,226  

 

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

A summary of the location of derivative instruments on the financial statements by primary risk exposure is outlined following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of May 31, 2020 by risk type was as follows for WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 5,172,169    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 3,077,040

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      0    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      105,679
          $ 5,172,169           $ 3,182,719  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of May 31, 2020 is reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Amount of realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 2,516,740        $ 1,829,044  

Interest rate risk

       (413,420        0  

Foreign currency risk

       121,511          (305,095
       $ 2,224,831        $ 1,523,949  

The fair value of derivative instruments as of May 31, 2020 by risk type was as follows for WealthBuilder Equity Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
     Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 6,229,532    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 6,087,678

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      0    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      161,389
          $ 6,229,532           $ 6,249,067  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of May 31, 2020 is reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Amount of realized
gains on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 28,863,066        $ 69,478  

Foreign currency risk

       236,013          (482,861
       $ 29,099,079        $ (413,383

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The fair value of derivative instruments as of May 31, 2020 by risk type was as follows for WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
     Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 6,079,215    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 3,791,970

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      0    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      117,608
          $ 6,079,215           $ 3,909,578  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of May 31, 2020 is reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Amount of realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 15,317,554        $ 1,921,995  

Interest rate risk

       (470,718        0  

Foreign currency risk

       144,988          (346,249
       $ 14,991,824        $ 1,575,746  

The fair value of derivative instruments as of May 31, 2020 by risk type was as follows for WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
     Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 11,675,261    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 7,344,192

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      0    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      234,533
          $ 11,675,261           $ 7,578,725  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of May 31, 2020 is reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Amount of realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 22,362,923        $ 3,600,871  

Interest rate risk

       (955,225        0  

Foreign currency risk

       322,161          (700,410
       $ 21,729,859        $ 2,900,461  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

The fair value of derivative instruments as of May 31, 2020 by risk type was as follows for WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 8,249,665    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 4,928,365

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      0    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      168,258
          $ 8,249,665           $ 5,096,623  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of May 31, 2020 is reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Amount of realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 10,148,559        $ 2,843,345  

Interest rate risk

       (701,007        0  

Foreign currency risk

       225,314          (508,641
       $ 9,672,866        $ 2,334,704  

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $280,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Funds under the agreement.

8. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, were as follows:

 

    Ordinary income     Long-term capital gain  
     2020     2019     2020     2019  

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

  $ 3,065,148     $ 3,531,157     $ 0     $ 10,842,828  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

    1,236,017       6,940,355       914,158       65,572,317  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

    1,781,228       5,766,814       161,600       40,351,235  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

    5,114,579       9,607,448       307,721       65,523,431  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

    5,453,767       5,300,505       2,938,500       27,152,903  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

      Undistributed
ordinary
income
     Undistributed
long-term
gain
     Unrealized
gains
 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

   $ 4,247,044      $ 3,939,390      $ 5,905,746  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     2,852,958        36,879,220        16,638,657  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     3,094,561        20,589,176        8,553,311  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     7,462,369        31,883,762        15,699,913  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     6,273,930        14,053,698        10,438,410  

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Funds’ organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to each Fund. Each Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, each Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Funds and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by modifying or removing certain disclosures and adding certain new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted the removal and modification of disclosures early, as permitted, and will adopt the additional new disclosures at the effective date.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Funds and the securities in which the Funds invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUNDS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund, and Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund (the Funds), five of the funds constituting Wells Fargo Funds Trust, including the portfolios of investments as of May 31, 2020, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of May 31, 2020, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies; however we are aware that we have served as the auditor of one or more Wells Fargo Funds investment companies since at least 1955.

Boston, Massachusetts

July 29, 2020

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION    

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, the percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends-received deduction was as follows for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020:

 

     

Dividends-received

deduction

 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

     8.50

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     90.87  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     43.86  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     27.36  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     18.06  

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the following amounts were designated as a 20% rate gain distribution for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020:

 

     

20% rate gain

distribution

 

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

   $ 914,158  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     161,600  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     307,721  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     2,938,500  

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, the following amounts of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 have been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI):

 

      QDI  

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

   $ 407,055  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     1,236,017  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     1,216,192  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     2,186,815  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     1,545,779  

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, the following amounts have been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code:

 

     

Interest-related

dividends

 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

   $ 1,878,063  

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     75,583  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     381,717  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     1,935,279  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     2,506,141  

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, the following amounts have been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code:

 

     

Short-term capital

gain dividends

 

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

   $ 56,879  

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     27,015  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     99,062  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     434,916  

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, the percentage of ordinary income distributed which was derived from interest on U.S. government securities was as follows:

 

     

% of U.S.

government
income

 

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

     11.04

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     2.65  

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     5.64  

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     8.53  

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Each Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

 

 

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Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

 

Trustee,

since 2018

  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
David Berardi (Born 1975)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund, and Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for each of the funds of the Trust identified above (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Funds as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Funds’ liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and

 

 

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supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Funds by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for each of the Funds over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to each respective Fund (each, a “Universe”), and in comparison to each Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in each performance Universe.

The Board noted that the investment performance of each Fund (Class A) relative to its respective Universe was as follows: (i) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund was lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and was lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020; (ii) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Equity Fund was higher than or in range of the investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended December 31, 2019, and was higher than the investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020; (iii) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund was higher than or in range of the investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and was higher than the investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020; (iv) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund was lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended December 31, 2019, and was higher than or in range of the investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020; and (v) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund was lower than the average investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, was higher than the investment performance of its Universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and was lower than the investment performance of its Universe for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020.

The Board also noted that the investment performance of each Fund (Class A) relative to its respective benchmark index was as follows: (i) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Blended Index, which is a proprietary index used by the Board to help it assess the Fund’s relative performance, for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020; (ii) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Equity Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the WealthBuilder Equity Blended Index, which is a proprietary index used by the Board to help it assess the Fund’s relative performance, for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, was higher than its benchmark index for the for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and was lower than its benchmark index for the for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020; (iii) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Blended Index, which is a proprietary index used by the Board to help it assess the Fund’s relative performance, for all periods ended December 31, 2019, was higher than or in range of its benchmark index for the for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and was lower than its benchmark index for the for the ten-year period ended March 31, 2020; (iv) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Blended Index, which is a proprietary index used by the Board to help it assess the Fund’s relative performance, for all periods ended December 31, 2019, was higher than or in range of its benchmark index for the for the one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and was lower than its benchmark index for the for the five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020; and (v) the investment performance of the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Blended Index, which is a proprietary index used by the Board to help it assess the Fund’s relative performance, for all periods ended December 31, 2019, and for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund, the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund, and the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund for the periods identified above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods identified above, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected each Fund’s investment performance. The Board also took note of the changes to such Funds’ investment process that were implemented in 2017 and Funds Management’s plan to make enhancements to the Funds later in 2020 to improve the Funds’ performance.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

The Board also received and considered information regarding each Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios for each Fund in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year.

Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that: (i) the net operating expense ratio of the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund Class A shares was in range of the median net operating expense ratio of its expense Group and the net operating expense ratio of the WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund Institutional Class shares was higher than the median net operating expense ratio of its expense Group; and (ii) the net operating expense ratio of each of the WealthBuilder Equity Fund, the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund, the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund and the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund was lower than the median net operating expense ratio of each Fund’s respective expense Group for all share classes. The Board noted that the Funds invest in both affiliated and unaffiliated underlying mutual funds, while most of the funds included in each expense Group, and all of the funds identified by Funds Management as being in a competitor sub-group, invest only in affiliated funds. The Board also considered that the Funds are designed to offer exposure to a wide range of investment styles, including alternatives, while maintaining a low investment minimum.

The Board took into account the Funds’ investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by each Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by each Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of each Fund’s Management Rates with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level, as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of each Fund were higher than the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes, except for the Institutional Class of the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund, which was in range of the average rate for the Fund’s expense Group. The Board noted that the Funds are among the few funds-of-funds utilizing both affiliated and unaffiliated underlying funds, and received information from Funds Management about the process and resources required to evaluate and select unaffiliated underlying mutual funds.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Funds and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Funds to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Funds, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in each Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of each Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Funds, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds and their shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Funds. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Funds and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Funds. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its non-money market series, including each Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that a Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), each Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of a Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent a Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if a Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting any Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to a Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

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Appendix I (unaudited)

 

Effective on or about May 1, 2020, if you purchase Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and Class C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney; breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

*

Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Effective on or after May 1, 2020, clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from breakpoints and waivers described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of Wells Fargo Funds or other facts qualifying the purchaser for breakpoints or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance.

 

Breakpoints available at Edward Jones
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except any money market funds and retirement plan share classes) of Wells Fargo Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). This includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the rights of accumulation calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation.

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (LOI)

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to makeover a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying his or her financial advisor of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not covered under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations at Edward Jones:

   Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing.

   Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

   Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.

   Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

   Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder
is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions available at Edward Jones:

   The death or disability of the shareholder.

   Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

   Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

   Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation.

   Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

   Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

   Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

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Appendix II (unaudited)

 

Other Important Information for accounts at Edward Jones:
Minimum Purchase Amounts

   $250 initial purchase minimum

   $50 subsequent purchase minimum

Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

   A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

   A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

   An account with an active systematic investment plan or letter of intent (LOI)

Changing Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares.

 

 

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Appendix III (unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Oppenheimer
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an Oppenheimer affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Oppenheimer.
Employees and registered representatives of Oppenheimer or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the Prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Oppenheimer
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Oppenheimer fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Oppenheimer.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Oppenheimer: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Oppenheimer. Eligible fund family assets not held at Oppenheimer may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

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Appendix IV (unaudited)

 

Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or the SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund.
Share purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Funds Investor C Shares will have their share exchanged at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k)plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on A and C Shares available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoint and/or Rights of Accumulation
Breakpoints as described in the Prospectus.
Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.

 

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Funds’ website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Wells Fargo Funds. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Funds’ website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0620-00338 07-20

AWBP/AR102 05-20

 

 



Table of Contents
ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS

(a) As of the end of the period covered by the report, Wells Fargo Funds Trust has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its President and Treasurer. A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

(c) During the period covered by this report, there were no amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in Item 2(a) above.

(d) During the period covered by this report, there were no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in Item 2(a) above.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The Board of Trustees of Wells Fargo Funds Trust has determined that Judith Johnson is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mrs. Johnson is independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

(a), (b), (c), (d) The following table presents aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered to the Registrant by the Registrant’s principal accountant. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the Registrant’s audit committee.

 

     Fiscal
year ended
May 31, 2020
     Fiscal
year ended
May 31, 2019
 

Audit fees

   $ 322,610      $ 309,400  

Audit-related fees (1)

     29,410        —    

Tax fees (2)

     70,280        63,160  

All other fees

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 422,300      $ 372,560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Amount represents fees and related to the merger of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund into the Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund on September 20, 2019.

(2) 

Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and excise tax.

(e) The Chairman of the Audit Committees is authorized to pre-approve: (1) audit services for the mutual funds of Wells Fargo Funds Trust; (2) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided to the Funds by the independent auditors (“Auditors”) if the fees for any particular engagement are not anticipated to exceed $50,000; and (3) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided by the Auditors to a Fund’s investment adviser and its controlling entities (where pre-approval is required because the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund) if the fee to the Auditors for any particular engagement is not anticipated to exceed $50,000. For any such pre-approval sought from the Chairman, Management shall prepare a brief description of the proposed services.

If the Chairman approves of such service, he or she shall sign the statement prepared by Management. Such written statement shall be presented to the full Committees at their next regularly scheduled meetings.


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(f) Not applicable

(g) Not applicable

(h) Not applicable

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.

INVESTMENTS

A Portfolio of Investments for each series of Wells Fargo Funds Trust is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees that have been implemented since the registrant’s last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item.

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The President and Treasurer have concluded that the Wells Fargo Funds Trust disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by the appropriate persons based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the most recent fiscal half-year of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


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ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURES OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS

 

(a)(1) Code of Ethics.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Section  302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section  906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust
  /s/ Andrew Owen
       Andrew Owen
       President
Date:   July 29, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust
  /s/ Andrew Owen
       Andrew Owen
       President
Date:   July 29, 2020
  /s/ Nancy Wiser
       Nancy Wiser
       Treasurer
Date:   July 29, 2020
  /s/ Jeremy DePalma
       Jeremy DePalma
       Treasurer
Date:   July 29, 2020

Wells Fargo Funds Trust

Wells Fargo Master Trust

Wells Fargo Variable Trust

Wells Fargo Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

Wells Fargo Income Opportunities Fund

Wells Fargo Multi-Sector Income Fund

Wells Fargo Utilities and High Income Fund

Joint Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers

 

I.

Covered Officers / Purpose of the Code

This Code of Ethics (“Code”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Global Dividend Opportunity Fund, Wells Fargo Income Opportunities Fund, Wells Fargo Multi-Sector Income Fund and Wells Fargo Utilities and High Income Fund (collectively, the “Trusts” and each, “a Trust”) applies to each Trust’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and any other Trust officer’s listed on Exhibit A (the “Covered Officers”) for the purpose of promoting:

 

   

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

   

full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable financial disclosure in reports and documents that a Trust files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Trust;

 

   

compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;

 

   

the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and

 

   

accountability for adherence to the Code.

Each Covered Officer should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.

 

II.

Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Both Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest

Overview. A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s private interest interferes with the interests of, or his or her service to, a Trust. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with the Trust.


Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Trust and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Investment Advisers Act”). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Trust because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the Trust. The compliance programs and procedures of the Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.

Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between the Trust and the Adviser, of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Trust or for the Adviser, or for both), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions that will have different effects on the Adviser and the Trust. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Trust and the Adviser and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Trust. Each Covered Officer recognizes that, as an officer of a Trust, he or she has a duty to act in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders. If a Covered Officer believes that his or her responsibilities as an officer or employee of the Adviser are likely to materially compromise his or her objectivity or his or her ability to perform the duties of his or her role as an officer of the Trust, he or she should consult with the Chief Legal Officer. Under appropriate circumstances, a Covered Officer should also consider whether to present the matter to the Board. In addition, it is recognized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”) that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more other investment companies covered by this or other codes.

Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of conflicts of interest under the Code, but Covered Officers should keep in mind that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of the Trust.

*                *                 *                *

Each Covered Officer must:

 

   

not use his or her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by a Trust whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Trust;

 

2


   

not cause the Trust to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than the benefit of a Trust;

 

   

not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Trust to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions;

 

   

not retaliate against any other Covered Officer or any employee of a Trust or its affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith; and

 

   

not engage in personal, business or professional relationships or dealings that would impair his or her independence of judgment or adversely affect the performance of his or her duties in the best interests of the Trust and their shareholders.

There are some conflict of interest situations that should always be approved in advance by the Chief Legal Officer of the Trust (the “Chief Legal Officer”) if material. Examples of these include:

 

   

service as a director on the board of any public or private for-profit company (provided, however, that a Covered Officer who is employed by another company (e.g., Wells Fargo) may serve as a director of such company or any entity, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such company);

 

   

acquiring a financial interest in any company that provides services to the Trust (provided, however, that a Covered Officer who is employed by another company (e.g., Wells Fargo) may have an ownership interest in his or her employer or the employer’s parent company);

 

   

the receipt of any entertainment or gifts from any person or company with which the Trust has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any question of impropriety;

 

   

any consulting or employment relationship with any of the Trust’s service providers, other than with the primary employer of the Covered Officer; and

 

   

a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Trust for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares, other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer’s primary employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.

 

III.

Disclosure and Compliance

Each Covered Officer should familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Trust.

 

3


Each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Trust to others, whether within or outside the Trust, including to the Board and the Trust’s auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.

Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Trust and the Adviser with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Trust files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Trust.

It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Each Covered Officer should, consistent with his or her responsibilities, exercise appropriate supervision over and assist relevant Trust service providers in developing financial information and other disclosure that complies with relevant law and presents information in a clear, comprehensible and complete manner.

Each Covered Officer is responsible for the accuracy of the records and reports that he or she is responsible for maintaining. The books and records of the Trust shall meet the highest standards and accurately reflect the true nature of the transactions they record. The Covered Officers must not create false or misleading documents or accounting, financial or electronic records for any purpose, and must not direct any other person to do so. If a Covered Officer becomes aware that information filed with the SEC or made available to the public contains any false or misleading information or omits to disclose necessary information, he shall promptly report it to Chief Legal Officer for a determination as to what, if any, corrective action is necessary or appropriate.

No undisclosed or unrecorded account or fund shall be established for any purpose. No false or misleading entries shall be made in a Trust’s books or records for any reason. No disbursement of a Trust’s assets shall be made without adequate supporting documentation or for any purpose other than as described in the Trust’s documents or contracts.

A Trust will maintain and preserve for a period of not less than six (6) years from the date such action is taken, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place, a copy of the information or materials supplied to the Board: (i) that provided the basis for any amendment or waiver to this Code, and (ii) relating to any violation of the Code and sanctions imposed for such violation, together with a written record of the approval or action taken by the Board.

 

4


IV.

Reporting and Accountability

Each Covered Officer must:

 

   

upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing (in the form attached to this Code) to the Board that he or she has received, read, and understands the Code;

 

   

annually thereafter affirm in writing (in the form attached to this Code) to the Board that he or she has complied with the requirements of the Code; and

 

   

notify the Chief Legal Officer of the Trust promptly if he or she knows of any violation of this Code. Failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code.

The Chief Legal Officer is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. While the Chief Legal Officer in authorized to interpret this Code, an approval of a situation that is expressly prohibited by this Code is deemed to be a “waiver” and can be approved only by the Board.

The Trust will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:

 

   

the Chief Legal Officer will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him or her;

 

   

if, after such investigation, the Chief Legal Officer believes that no violation has occurred, the Chief Legal Officer is not required to take any further action;

 

   

any matter that the Chief Legal Officer believes is a violation will be reported to the Board;

 

   

if the Board concurs that a violation has occurred, it will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the Adviser; or a recommendation to dismiss the Covered Officer;

 

   

the Board will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate (a “waiver” is the approval of a situation that is expressly prohibited by this Code); and

 

   

any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules.

 

V.

Other Policies and Procedures

This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Trusts for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and forms applicable to registered

 

5


investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Trusts or the Adviser govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The codes of ethics adopted by the Trusts and the Adviser under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.

 

VI.

Amendments

Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibit A, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Board, including a majority of independent Trustees.

 

VII.

Confidentiality

All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except upon request of the SEC or another regulatory agency, or as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than Board and its counsel.

 

VIII.

 Internal Use

The Code is intended solely for the internal use by each Trust and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of any Trust, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.

Adopted by the Boards: August 5, 2003

Amended: January 1, 2019

 

6


Exhibit A

Persons Covered by the Code

Andrew Owen, President of each Trust

Nancy Wiser, Treasurer of:

Wells Fargo Funds Trust

Wells Fargo Master Trust

Wells Fargo Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

Wells Fargo Utilities and High Income Fund

Jeremy DePalma, Treasurer of:

Wells Fargo Funds Trust

Wells Fargo Master Trust

Wells Fargo Variable Trust

Wells Fargo Income Opportunities Fund

Wells Fargo Multi-Sector Income Fund

Exhibit A amended: January 1, 2019

 

7

LOGO

CERTIFICATION

I, Andrew Owen, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Wells Fargo Funds Trust on behalf of the following series: Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund, Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund, Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Index Fund, Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo International Value Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund, Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund, Wells Fargo Real Return Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund, and Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing of this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal half-year of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Trustees (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 29, 2020

/s/ Andrew Owen

Andrew Owen
President
Wells Fargo Funds Trust

Exhibit 99.CERT


LOGO

CERTIFICATION

I, Nancy Wiser, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Wells Fargo Funds Trust on behalf of the following series: Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund, Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund, Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Index Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund, Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund, and Wells Fargo Real Return Fund;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing of this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal half-year of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Trustees (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 29, 2020

/s/ Nancy Wiser

Nancy Wiser
Treasurer
Wells Fargo Funds Trust

Exhibit 99.CERT


LOGO

CERTIFICATION

I, Jeremy DePalma, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Wells Fargo Funds Trust on behalf of the following series: Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo International Value Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund, and Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing of this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal half-year of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Trustees (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 29, 2020

/s/ Jeremy DePalma

Jeremy DePalma
Treasurer

Wells Fargo Funds Trust

Exhibit 99.CERT

LOGO

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Wells Fargo Funds Trust, hereby certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that the registrant’s report on Form N-CSR for the year ended May 31, 2020 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

Date: July 29, 2020

 

/s/ Andrew Owen
Andrew Owen
President
Wells Fargo Funds Trust

This certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exhibit 99.906CERT


LOGO

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Wells Fargo Funds Trust, hereby certifies, to the best of her knowledge, that the registrant’s report on Form N-CSR for the year ended May 31, 2020 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

Date: July 29, 2020

 

/s/ Nancy Wiser
Nancy Wiser
Treasurer
Wells Fargo Funds Trust

This certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exhibit 99.906CERT


LOGO

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Wells Fargo Funds Trust, hereby certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that the registrant’s report on Form N-CSR for the year ended May 31, 2020 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

Date: July 29, 2020

 

/s/ Jeremy DePalma
Jeremy DePalma
Treasurer
Wells Fargo Funds Trust

This certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exhibit 99.906CERT