Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Prudential Investment Portfolios 3 (the “Registered Investment Company” or “RIC”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The RIC is organized as a Delaware Statutory Trust and currently consists of six separate funds: PGIM Global Dynamic Bond Fund, PGIM Jennison Focused Growth Fund, PGIM QMA Large-Cap Value Fund, PGIM Real Assets Fund, PGIM Strategic Bond Fund and PGIM Wadhwani Systematic Absolute Return Fund. These consolidated financial statements relate only to the PGIM Real Assets Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as a diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term real return.

The Fund wholly owns and controls the PGIM Real Assets Subsidiary, Ltd. (the “Cayman Subsidiary”), a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Subsidiary is not registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the financial results of the Cayman Subsidiary.

In accordance with the accounting rules relating to reporting of a wholly-owned subsidiary, the Consolidated Schedule of Investments includes positions of the Fund and the Cayman Subsidiary. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Fund and the Cayman Subsidiary. All significant inter-company balances and transactions between the Fund and the Cayman Subsidiary have been eliminated in consolidation. The Fund will seek to gain exposure to commodities, commodities-related instruments, derivatives and other investments by directly investing in those instruments or through investments in the Cayman Subsidiary. The Cayman Subsidiary participates in the same investment objective as the Fund. The Cayman Subsidiary pursues its investment objective by investing in commodities, commodities-related instruments, derivatives and other investments. The Cayman Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in these instruments. However, the Cayman Subsidiary is otherwise subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund.

As of October 31, 2021, the Cayman Subsidiary had net assets of $1,015,135 representing 0.87% of the Fund’s net assets.

The Fund’s disclosures and operations are subject to compliance with applicable regulations governing commodity pools including Commodity Futures Trading Commission rules.

The Fund and the Cayman Subsidiary (collectively hereafter, the “Fund”) follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Fund consistently follows such policies in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets and liabilities that are fair valued as of the close of each day (generally, 4:00 PM Eastern time) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. As described in further detail below, the Fund’s investments are valued daily based on a number of factors, including the type of investment and whether market quotations are readily available. The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted valuation procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments” or the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Board’s delegation, the Manager has established a Valuation Committee responsible for supervising the fair valuation of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities. The valuation procedures permit the Fund to utilize independent pricing vendor services, quotations from market makers, and alternative valuation methods when market quotations are either not readily available or not deemed representative of fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A record of the Valuation Committee’s actions is subject to the Board’s review at its first quarterly meeting following the quarter in which such actions take place.

For the fiscal reporting year-end, securities and other assets and liabilities were fair valued at the close of the last U.S. business day. Trading in certain foreign securities may occur when the NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because such foreign securities trade in markets that are open on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund’s foreign investments may change on days when investors cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.

Various inputs determine how the Fund’s investments are valued, all of which are categorized according to the three broad levels (Level 1, 2, or 3) detailed in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments and referred to herein as the “fair value hierarchy” in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Common or preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds and derivative instruments, if applicable, that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in open-end funds (other than exchange-traded funds) are valued at their net asset values as of the close of the NYSE on the date of valuation. These securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy since they may be purchased or sold at their net asset values on the date of valuation.

Fixed income securities traded in the OTC market are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such fixed income securities are typically valued using the market approach which generally involves obtaining data from an approved independent third-party vendor source. The Fund utilizes the market approach as the primary method to value securities when market prices of identical or comparable instruments are available. The third-party vendors’ valuation techniques used to derive the evaluated bid price are based on evaluating observable inputs, including but not limited to, yield curves, yield spreads, credit ratings, deal terms, tranche level attributes, default rates, cash flows, prepayment speeds, broker/dealer quotations and reported trades. Certain Level 3 securities are also valued using the market approach when obtaining a single broker quote or when utilizing transaction prices for identical securities that have been used in excess of five business days. During the reporting period, there were no changes to report with respect to the valuation approach and/or valuation techniques discussed above.

Securities and other assets that cannot be priced according to the methods described above are valued based on pricing methodologies approved by the Board. In the event that unobservable inputs are used when determining such valuations, the securities will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Altering one or more unobservable inputs may result in a significant change to a Level 3 security’s fair value measurement.

When determining the fair value of securities, some of the factors influencing the valuation include: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of the issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other unaffiliated mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange rate as of the valuation date;

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not generally isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities sold during the period. Accordingly, holding period unrealized and realized foreign currency gains (losses) are included in the reported Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and Net realized gains (losses) on investment transactions on the Statements of Operations.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from the disposition of holdings of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) arise from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates.

Commodities: The Fund gains exposure to commodity markets through direct investment of the Fund’s assets or through the Cayman Subsidiary. The Fund gains exposure to the commodity markets primarily through exchange-traded futures on commodities held by the Cayman Subsidiary. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Cayman Subsidiary. The Cayman Subsidiary may invest in commodity investments without limit. The Fund invests in the Cayman Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to commodities within the limitations of the federal tax law requirements applicable to regulated investment companies such as the Fund. The Fund may invest directly in commodity-linked structured notes (CLNs). The Fund may also gain direct exposure to commodities through direct investment in certain exchange-traded funds (ETFs) whose returns are linked to commodities or commodity indices within the limit of applicable tax law. Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, agriculture products and precious metals. The value of commodities may be affected by, among other things, changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargos, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity linked instruments than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional risks which subject the Fund’s investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.

Financial/Commodity Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as the “initial margin.” Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain (loss). When the contract expires or is closed, the gain (loss) is realized and is presented in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as net realized gain (loss) on futures transactions.

The Fund invested in futures contracts in order to hedge its existing portfolio securities, or securities the Fund intends to purchase, against fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. The Fund invested in commodity futures contracts in order to hedge or gain exposure to commodity markets. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets. Since futures contracts are exchange-traded, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchanges’ clearinghouse acts as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures and guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, or for certain foreign securities, when the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities, as required, is recorded on the accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual. Net investment income or loss (other than class specific expenses and waivers, which are allocated as noted below) and unrealized and realized gains (losses) are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Class specific expenses and waivers, where applicable, are charged to the respective share classes. Such class specific expenses and waivers include distribution fees and distribution fee waivers, shareholder servicing fees, transfer agent’s fees and expenses, registration fees and fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, as applicable.

Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, interest and capital gains, if any, are recorded, net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned.

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to pay dividends from net investment income quarterly. Distributions from net realized capital and currency gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gain (loss) are reclassified between total distributable earnings (loss) and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a management agreement with the Manager. Pursuant to this agreement, the Manager has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadviser’s performance of such services.

The Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Quantitative Solutions LLC (formerly known as QMA LLC) (“PGIM Quantitative Solutions” or the “subadviser”). The Manager pays for the services of the subadviser.

The management fee paid to the Manager is accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to and including $3 billion, 0.58% on the next $2 billion of average daily net assets, 0.57% on the next $5 billion of average daily net assets and 0.56% of the average daily net assets in excess of $10 billion (including the Cayman Subsidiary). The effective consolidated management fee rate before any waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 0.63% for the year ended October 31, 2021.

The Manager has contractually agreed, through February 28, 2023, to limit net annual operating expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses (exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees, interest, dividend and interest expense on short sales (including acquired fund dividend and interest expense on short sales), brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses (including acquired fund taxes), transfer agency expenses (including sub-transfer agency and networking fees), and extraordinary expenses) of each class of shares to 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Where applicable, the Manager agrees to waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class and, in addition, total annual operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual operating expenses for Class Z shares. Fees and/or expenses waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver and/or reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year.

The Cayman Subsidiary has entered into a separate management agreement with the Manager whereby the Manager provides advisory and other services to the Cayman Subsidiary substantially similar to the services provided by the Manager to the Fund as discussed above. In consideration for these services, the Cayman Subsidiary pays the Manager a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.60% of the Cayman Subsidiary’s average daily net assets up to and including $3 billion, 0.58% on the next $2 billion of average daily net assets, 0.57% on the next $5 billion of average daily net assets and 0.56% of the average daily net assets in excess of $10 billion. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive any management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fees paid by the Cayman Subsidiary. This waiver may not be terminated without prior approval of the Fund’s Board as long as the Fund remains invested or intends to invest in the Cayman Subsidiary. The Manager also has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with PGIM Quantitative Solutions, relating to the Cayman Subsidiary.

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (“PIMS”), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to the plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS.

Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to 0.30%, and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares, respectively. PIMS has contractually agreed through February 28, 2023 to limit such fees to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor for Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $36,257 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares. Additionally, for the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS did not receive any contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively. From these fees, PIMS paid such

sales charges to broker-dealers, who in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PGIM Investments, PIMS and PGIM Quantitative Solutions are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PGIM Investments and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

The Fund may invest its overnight sweep cash in the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (the “Core Fund”), a fund of Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PGIM Investments. PGIM Investments and/or its affiliates are paid fees or reimbursed for providing their services to the Core Fund. In addition to the realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Core Fund and other affiliated mutual funds, earnings from such investments are disclosed on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income”.

The Fund may enter into certain securities purchase or sale transactions under Board approved Rule 17a-7 procedures. Rule 17a-7 is an exemptive rule under the 1940 Act, that subject to certain conditions, permits purchase and sale transactions among affiliated investment companies, or between an investment company and a person that is affiliated solely by reason of having a common (or affiliated) investment adviser, common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. For the year ended October 31, 2021, no 17a-7 transactions were entered into by the Fund.

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) for the year ended October 31, 2021, were $43,107,433 and $29,798,284, respectively.

A summary of the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of affiliated mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021, is presented as follows: