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 | 811-05883 |
| |
| BNY Mellon Index Funds, Inc. | |
| (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter) | |
| | |
| c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. 240 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10286 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) | |
| | |
| Deirdre Cunnane, Esq. 240 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10286 | |
| (Name and address of agent for service) | |
|
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: | (212) 922-6400 |
| |
Date of fiscal year end: | 10/31 | |
Date of reporting period: | 04/30/24 | |
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FORM N-CSR
| Item 1. | Reports to Stockholders. |
BNY Mellon International Stock Index Fund
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SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT April 30, 2024 |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE – UPCOMING CHANGES TO ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted rule and form amendments that will result in changes to the design and delivery of annual and semi-annual fund reports (“Reports”). Beginning in July 2024, Reports will be streamlined to highlight key information. Certain information currently included in Reports, including financial statements, will no longer appear in the Reports but will be available online, delivered free of charge to shareholders upon request, and filed with the SEC. If you previously elected to receive the fund’s Reports electronically, you will continue to do so. Otherwise, you will receive paper copies of the fund’s re-designed Reports by USPS mail in the future. If you would like to receive the fund’s Reports (and/or other communications) electronically instead of by mail, please contact your financial advisor or, if you are a direct investor, please log into your mutual fund account at www.bnymellonim.com/us and select “E-Delivery” under the Profile page. You must be registered for online account access before you can enroll in E-Delivery. |
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Save time. Save paper. View your next shareholder report online as soon as it’s available. Log into www.im.bnymellon.com and sign up for eCommunications. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes. |
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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. or any other person in the BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. |
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Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value |
Contents
T H E F U N D
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
Back Cover
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)
For the period from November 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, as provided by David France, CFA, Todd Frysinger, CFA, Vlasta Sheremeta, CFA, Michael Stoll and Marlene Walker Smith, portfolio managers.
Market and Fund Performance Overview
For the six-month period ended April 30, 2024, BNY Mellon International Stock Index Fund’s (the “fund”) Investor shares produced a total return of 16.73%, and its Class I shares returned 16.85%.1 This compares with a 18.63% total return for the fund’s benchmark, the MSCI EAFE® Index (the “Index”), during the same period.2
International markets gained ground during the reporting period as economic growth remained generally positive, inflation eased and central banks slowed or paused monetary tightening policies. The difference in returns between the fund and the Index resulted primarily from transaction costs and operating expenses that are not reflected in Index results.
The Fund’s Investment Approach
The fund seeks to match the performance of the Index. To pursue its goal, the fund generally is fully invested in stocks included in the Index and in futures whose performance is tied to certain countries included in the Index. The fund generally invests in all stocks included in the Index. The fund’s investments are selected to match the benchmark composition along individual name, country and industry weighting, and other benchmark characteristics. Under these circumstances, the fund maintains approximately the same weighting for each stock as the Index does.
Because the fund has expenses, performance will tend to be slightly lower than that of the Index. The fund attempts to have a correlation between its performance and that of the Index of at least 0.95, before fees and expenses. A correlation of 1.00 would mean that the fund and the Index were perfectly correlated.
The Index is an unmanaged, 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. Each stock in the Index is weighted by its float-adjusted market capitalization.
Equities Gain Ground as Inflation Eases and Economic Growth Remains Positive
International developed-markets equities climbed during the reporting period as interest-rate hikes implemented by central banks gained traction in the fight against inflation. In the eurozone, inflation declined to 2.4% in November 2023, down from a peak of over 10% a year earlier. After climbing back to 2.9% in December, it eased again over the ensuing months, once more reaching 2.4% as of the end of the reporting period. Most other developed economies experienced similar trends, prompting central banks to pause or slow the pace of interest rate hikes designed to combat inflation. At the same time, most developed economies continued to produce positive growth despite high interest rates. Stocks generally responded positively to this economic backdrop, with the strongest returns seen in cyclical, growth-oriented sectors, including information technology, industrials and financials. Conversely, interest-rate-sensitive and traditionally defensive sectors lagged, with consumer staples and utilities trailing the Index average by a significant margin. The energy sector fared worst, hurt by falling oil and gas prices, as well as geopolitical challenges.
Cyclical Shares Lead Markets Higher
Better-than-expected global economic growth supported the performance of information technology, industrials and financials companies. On a country basis, returns from The Netherlands outperformed the Index by the widest margin, bolstered by gains in companies such as payments platform provider Adyen NV, semiconductor company ASM International NV and semiconductor equipment maker ASML Holding NV. Ireland was the next-strongest performing market, led by packaging and container
2
manufacturer Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, construction and building products maker Kingspan Group PLC, and sports betting and gaming company Flutter Entertainment PLC. In Israel, top performers included Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., real estate services provider Azrieli Group Ltd. and cloud-based web development platform Wix.com Ltd.
Conversely, the weakest-performing markets included Hong Kong, Portugal and Norway. Many Hong Kong companies were undermined by disappointing growth in China. Notable underperformers included real estate companies New World Development Co. Ltd. and Hang Lung Properties Ltd., as well as casino and resort operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. In Portugal, significantly underperforming holdings included renewable utility EDP Renováveis SA, electric utility EDP - Energias de Portugal SA and specialty distributor and retailer Jerónimo Martins SGPS SA. Finally, in Norway, the weakest names included energy companies Equinor ASA and Aker BP ASA, as well as agricultural chemical producer Yara International ASA.
The fund’s use of derivatives during the period was limited to futures contracts employed solely to offset the impact of cash positions, which the fund holds pursuant to its operations, but the Index does not. Such holdings helped the fund more closely match the performance of the Index.
Replicating the Performance of the Index
As of April 30, 2024, most international economies have made significant progress in curbing inflation, and may be better positioned than the United States to begin cutting rates in the near term. Although growth in most of the rest of the world has lagged the U.S. economy, Europe, the UK and many other countries appear well positioned to remain on a positive trajectory, potentially setting the stage for additional market gains.
However developments unfold, in seeking to match the performance of the Index, we do not actively manage investments in response to macroeconomic trends. As always, we continue to monitor factors that affect the fund’s investments.
May 15, 2024
1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. The fund’s return reflects the absorption of certain fund expenses by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. pursuant to an agreement. Had these expenses not been absorbed, returns would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price, yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost.
2 Source: Lipper Inc. — The MSCI EAFE® Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. It reflects reinvestment of net dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.
Please note: the position in any security highlighted with italicized typeface was sold during the reporting period.
Equities are subject generally to market, market sector, market liquidity, issuer and investment style risks, among other factors, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus.
The fund uses an indexing strategy. It does not attempt to manage market volatility, use defensive strategies or reduce the effects of any long-term periods of poor stock performance.
Currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to a local currency, or, in the case of hedged positions, that the local currency will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Each of these risks could increase the fund’s volatility.
Investing in foreign-denominated and/or domiciled securities involves special risks, including changes in currency exchange rates, political, economic and social instability, limited company information, differing auditing and legal standards and less market liquidity. These risks generally are greater with emerging-market countries. Diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss.
The fund may, but is not required, to use derivative instruments. A small investment in derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund’s performance. The use of derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying assets.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES (Unaudited)
As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees and other expenses. Using the information below, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You also may pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial adviser.
Review your fund’s expenses
The table below shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in BNY Mellon International Stock Index Fund from November 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.
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Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | |
Assume actual returns for the six months ended April 30, 2024 | |
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| | Investor Shares | Class I | |
Expenses paid per $1,000† | $3.23 | $1.89 | |
Ending value (after expenses) | $1,167.30 | $1,168.50 | |
COMPARING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES WITH THOSE OF OTHER FUNDS (Unaudited)
Using the SEC’s method to compare expenses
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the table below shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total cost) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.
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Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | |
Assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return for the six months ended April 30, 2024 | |
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| | Investor Shares | Class I | |
Expenses paid per $1,000† | $3.02 | $1.76 | |
Ending value (after expenses) | $1,021.88 | $1,023.12 | |
† | Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .60% for Investor Shares and .35% for Class I, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
4
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% | | | | | |
Australia - 6.9% | | | | | |
Ampol Ltd. | | | | 4,587 | | 108,561 | |
ANZ Group Holdings Ltd. | | | | 58,544 | | 1,059,521 | |
APA Group | | | | 25,228 | | 135,244 | |
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. | | | | 11,294 | | 289,332 | |
ASX Ltd. | | | | 3,713 | | 152,011 | |
Aurizon Holdings Ltd. | | | | 34,669 | | 85,430 | |
BHP Group Ltd. | | | | 35,346 | | 974,674 | |
BHP Group Ltd. | | | | 63,529 | | 1,759,931 | |
BlueScope Steel Ltd. | | | | 8,837 | | 130,361 | |
Brambles Ltd. | | | | 26,994 | | 253,526 | |
CAR Group Ltd. | | | | 7,053 | | 153,152 | |
Cochlear Ltd. | | | | 1,295 | | 270,272 | |
Coles Group Ltd. | | | | 25,793 | | 270,340 | |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | | | | 32,667 | | 2,410,363 | |
Computershare Ltd. | | | | 10,698 | | 188,012 | |
CSL Ltd. | | | | 9,424 | | 1,684,584 | |
Dexus | | | | 21,094 | | 96,636 | |
Ebos Group Ltd. | | | | 3,169 | | 65,727 | |
Endeavour Group Ltd. | | | | 27,689 | | 95,670 | |
Fortescue Ltd. | | | | 33,282 | | 555,042 | |
Goodman Group | | | | 33,342 | | 674,228 | |
IDP Education Ltd. | | | | 4,968 | a | 52,054 | |
Insurance Australia Group Ltd. | | | | 47,138 | | 195,680 | |
Macquarie Group Ltd. | | | | 7,136 | | 856,489 | |
Medibank Private Ltd. | | | | 52,681 | | 120,900 | |
Mineral Resources Ltd. | | | | 3,349 | | 154,695 | |
Mirvac Group | | | | 79,418 | | 105,118 | |
National Australia Bank Ltd. | | | | 60,851 | | 1,325,229 | |
Northern Star Resources Ltd. | | | | 22,325 | | 213,171 | |
Orica Ltd. | | | | 9,143 | | 106,833 | |
Origin Energy Ltd. | | | | 33,577 | | 211,049 | |
Pilbara Minerals Ltd. | | | | 54,615 | a,b | 141,723 | |
Qantas Airways Ltd. | | | | 16,245 | b | 61,641 | |
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | | | | 28,915 | | 331,627 | |
Ramsay Health Care Ltd. | | | | 3,516 | | 118,503 | |
REA Group Ltd. | | | | 1,036 | a | 119,261 | |
Reece Ltd. | | | | 4,215 | | 75,314 | |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | | | | 7,237 | | 606,339 | |
Santos Ltd. | | | | 62,748 | | 310,883 | |
Scentre Group | | | | 103,453 | | 211,374 | |
SEEK Ltd. | | | | 7,249 | | 112,416 | |
5
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Australia - 6.9% (continued) | | | | | |
Seven Group Holdings Ltd. | | | | 3,096 | | 75,571 | |
Sonic Healthcare Ltd. | | | | 8,733 | | 150,888 | |
South32 Ltd. | | | | 89,088 | | 207,079 | |
Stockland | | | | 45,544 | | 130,357 | |
Suncorp Group Ltd. | | | | 25,269 | | 271,020 | |
Telstra Group Ltd. | | | | 76,687 | | 182,153 | |
The GPT Group | | | | 37,508 | | 101,773 | |
The Lottery Corp. Ltd. | | | | 44,705 | | 139,680 | |
Transurban Group | | | | 60,685 | | 489,253 | |
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd. | | | | 15,691 | | 122,462 | |
Vicinity Centres | | | | 74,809 | | 92,551 | |
Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co. Ltd. | | | | 4,440 | | 93,298 | |
Wesfarmers Ltd. | | | | 22,297 | | 961,730 | |
Westpac Banking Corp. | | | | 68,305 | | 1,143,032 | |
WiseTech Global Ltd. | | | | 3,241 | | 191,343 | |
Woodside Energy Group Ltd. | | | | 25,838 | | 465,506 | |
Woodside Energy Group Ltd. | | | | 11,479 | | 207,372 | |
Woolworths Group Ltd. | | | | 24,008 | | 493,370 | |
| | | | 22,361,354 | |
Austria - .2% | | | | | |
Erste Group Bank AG | | | | 6,736 | b | 313,759 | |
OMV AG | | | | 2,798 | | 133,310 | |
Verbund AG | | | | 1,286 | | 98,237 | |
Voestalpine AG | | | | 2,414 | b | 64,330 | |
| | | | 609,636 | |
Belgium - .8% | | | | | |
Ageas SA | | | | 3,235 | | 148,541 | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA | | | | 16,908 | | 1,012,430 | |
D'ieteren Group | | | | 400 | b | 86,161 | |
Elia Group SA | | | | 602 | | 58,060 | |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV | | | | 291 | | 21,574 | |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV | | | | 1,430 | | 106,019 | |
KBC Group NV | | | | 4,837 | | 359,225 | |
Lotus Bakeries NV | | | | 8 | b | 80,486 | |
Sofina SA | | | | 313 | | 73,110 | |
Syensqo SA | | | | 1,431 | b | 132,430 | |
UCB SA | | | | 2,420 | | 320,713 | |
Umicore SA | | | | 4,287 | | 95,072 | |
Warehouses De Pauw, CVA | | | | 3,420 | | 90,516 | |
| | | | 2,584,337 | |
Chile - .1% | | | | | |
Antofagasta PLC | | | | 7,761 | | 213,386 | |
6
| | | | | | | |
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Denmark - 3.6% | | | | | |
AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Cl. A | | | | 57 | | 81,097 | |
AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Cl. B | | | | 84 | | 121,918 | |
Carlsberg AS, Cl. B | | | | 1,943 | | 261,957 | |
Coloplast A/S, Cl. B | | | | 2,460 | | 297,194 | |
Danske Bank A/S | | | | 13,418 | | 386,353 | |
Demant A/S | | | | 1,963 | b | 93,689 | |
DSV A/S | | | | 3,415 | | 486,111 | |
Genmab A/S | | | | 1,283 | b | 355,521 | |
Novo Nordisk A/S, Cl. B | | | | 63,658 | | 8,181,038 | |
Novonesis (Novozymes), Cl. B | | | | 7,227 | | 401,114 | |
Orsted AS | | | | 3,730 | b,c | 204,988 | |
Pandora A/S | | | | 1,658 | | 252,362 | |
Rockwool A/S, Cl. B | | | | 170 | | 55,523 | |
Svitzer A/S | | | | 282 | b | 9,476 | |
Tryg A/S | | | | 7,078 | | 140,090 | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S | | | | 19,653 | b | 526,997 | |
| | | | 11,855,428 | |
Finland - 1.0% | | | | | |
Elisa OYJ | | | | 2,772 | | 125,138 | |
Fortum OYJ | | | | 8,548 | | 112,578 | |
Kesko OYJ, Cl. B | | | | 5,455 | | 92,937 | |
Kone OYJ, Cl. B | | | | 6,773 | | 330,046 | |
Metso OYJ | | | | 13,019 | | 147,869 | |
Neste OYJ | | | | 8,297 | | 188,919 | |
Nokia OYJ | | | | 104,027 | | 378,516 | |
Nordea Bank Abp | | | | 61,943 | | 725,550 | |
Orion OYJ, Cl. B | | | | 2,134 | | 81,479 | |
Sampo OYJ, Cl. A | | | | 8,818 | | 356,890 | |
Stora Enso OYJ, Cl. R | | | | 11,173 | | 148,752 | |
UPM-Kymmene OYJ | | | | 10,327 | | 361,239 | |
Wartsila OYJ Abp | | | | 9,049 | | 166,457 | |
| | | | 3,216,370 | |
France - 11.4% | | | | | |
Accor SA | | | | 3,601 | b | 157,470 | |
Aeroports de Paris SA | | | | 621 | | 78,617 | |
Air Liquide SA | | | | 10,232 | | 2,003,156 | |
Airbus SE | | | | 11,565 | | 1,900,572 | |
Alstom SA | | | | 5,765 | b | 91,117 | |
Amundi SA | | | | 1,151 | c | 80,025 | |
Arkema SA | | | | 1,164 | | 120,097 | |
AXA SA | | | | 35,427 | | 1,219,819 | |
BioMerieux | | | | 830 | | 88,285 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | | 20,145 | | 1,440,658 | |
7
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
France - 11.4% (continued) | | | | | |
Bollore SE | | | | 14,626 | | 94,808 | |
Bouygues SA | | | | 3,766 | | 138,748 | |
Bureau Veritas SA | | | | 5,638 | | 163,627 | |
Capgemini SE | | | | 3,029 | | 636,380 | |
Carrefour SA | | | | 11,012 | | 185,489 | |
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA | | | | 13,300 | | 511,035 | |
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA | | | | 8,891 | | 701,146 | |
Covivio SA | | | | 951 | | 47,202 | |
Credit Agricole SA | | | | 21,185 | | 327,321 | |
Danone SA | | | | 12,503 | | 781,867 | |
Dassault Aviation SA | | | | 410 | | 87,794 | |
Dassault Systemes SE | | | | 13,133 | | 514,364 | |
Edenred SE | | | | 4,842 | | 229,465 | |
Eiffage SA | | | | 1,405 | | 149,952 | |
Engie SA | | | | 35,310 | | 613,188 | |
EssilorLuxottica SA | | | | 5,752 | | 1,230,099 | |
Eurazeo SE | | | | 811 | | 72,942 | |
Gecina SA | | | | 897 | | 91,450 | |
Getlink SE | | | | 7,252 | | 123,341 | |
Hermes International SCA | | | | 618 | | 1,485,738 | |
Ipsen SA | | | | 734 | | 89,276 | |
Kering SA | | | | 1,452 | | 501,086 | |
Klepierre SA | | | | 4,330 | | 116,573 | |
La Francaise des Jeux SAEM | | | | 2,092 | c | 78,737 | |
Legrand SA | | | | 5,117 | | 525,972 | |
L'Oreal SA | | | | 4,694 | | 2,192,691 | |
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | | | | 5,386 | | 4,335,602 | |
Orange SA | | | | 36,739 | | 408,540 | |
Pernod Ricard SA | | | | 4,000 | | 604,022 | |
Publicis Groupe SA | | | | 4,478 | | 494,919 | |
Remy Cointreau SA | | | | 485 | b | 46,021 | |
Renault SA | | | | 3,679 | | 181,453 | |
Rexel | | | | 4,292 | | 111,036 | |
Safran SA | | | | 6,668 | | 1,441,840 | |
Sanofi SA | | | | 22,205 | | 2,189,334 | |
Sartorius Stedim Biotech | | | | 557 | | 120,287 | |
Schneider Electric SE | | | | 10,616 | | 2,417,728 | |
SEB SA | | | | 480 | | 56,574 | |
Societe Generale SA | | | | 14,060 | | 377,889 | |
Sodexo SA | | | | 1,713 | | 149,319 | |
Teleperformance SE | | | | 1,143 | | 112,931 | |
Thales SA | | | | 1,845 | | 310,316 | |
8
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
France - 11.4% (continued) | | | | | |
TotalEnergies SE | | | | 42,350 | | 3,075,994 | |
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE | | | | 2,317 | | 193,535 | |
Veolia Environnement SA | | | | 13,542 | | 420,920 | |
Vinci SA | | | | 9,767 | | 1,143,125 | |
Vivendi SE | | | | 12,663 | | 129,014 | |
Worldline SA | | | | 4,538 | b,c | 46,982 | |
| | | | 37,237,488 | |
Germany - 7.9% | | | | | |
adidas AG | | | | 3,160 | | 762,446 | |
Allianz SE | | | | 7,641 | | 2,170,081 | |
BASF SE | | | | 17,541 | | 920,152 | |
Bayer AG | | | | 19,241 | | 561,335 | |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | | | 6,267 | | 683,659 | |
Bechtle AG | | | | 1,673 | | 80,879 | |
Beiersdorf AG | | | | 1,945 | | 291,649 | |
Brenntag SE | | | | 2,564 | | 204,810 | |
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG-BR | | | | 751 | | 79,401 | |
Commerzbank AG | | | | 20,305 | | 301,824 | |
Continental AG | | | | 2,088 | | 135,510 | |
Covestro AG | | | | 3,609 | b,c | 180,826 | |
Daimler Truck Holding AG | | | | 10,435 | | 470,907 | |
Delivery Hero SE | | | | 3,406 | b,c | 95,568 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | | 38,093 | | 609,953 | |
Deutsche Boerse AG | | | | 3,685 | | 711,384 | |
Deutsche Lufthansa AG | | | | 12,026 | | 85,967 | |
Deutsche Telekom AG | | | | 63,226 | | 1,447,055 | |
DHL Group | | | | 19,251 | | 806,296 | |
E.ON SE | | | | 43,785 | | 578,260 | |
Evonik Industries AG | | | | 4,408 | | 91,934 | |
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | | | | 3,875 | | 163,717 | |
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA | | | | 8,338 | b | 248,749 | |
GEA Group AG | | | | 3,240 | | 131,034 | |
Hannover Rueck SE | | | | 1,164 | | 288,651 | |
Heidelberg Materials AG | | | | 2,542 | | 256,588 | |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | | | | 2,090 | | 149,700 | |
Infineon Technologies AG | | | | 25,383 | | 885,860 | |
Knorr-Bremse AG | | | | 1,450 | | 107,551 | |
LEG Immobilien SE | | | | 1,500 | | 127,857 | |
Mercedes-Benz Group AG | | | | 15,645 | | 1,182,097 | |
Merck KGaA | | | | 2,517 | | 400,035 | |
MTU Aero Engines AG | | | | 1,032 | | 249,503 | |
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG | | | | 2,661 | | 1,169,423 | |
9
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Germany - 7.9% (continued) | | | | | |
Nemetschek SE | | | | 1,157 | | 103,115 | |
Puma SE | | | | 1,934 | | 89,851 | |
Rational AG | | | | 93 | | 79,723 | |
Rheinmetall AG | | | | 845 | | 466,183 | |
RWE AG | | | | 12,426 | | 431,761 | |
SAP SE | | | | 20,370 | | 3,688,174 | |
Scout24 SE | | | | 1,503 | c | 110,809 | |
Siemens AG | | | | 14,825 | | 2,780,955 | |
Siemens Energy AG | | | | 9,864 | b | 203,140 | |
Siemens Healthineers AG | | | | 5,542 | c | 308,133 | |
Symrise AG | | | | 2,558 | | 275,082 | |
Talanx AG | | | | 1,264 | | 95,425 | |
Volkswagen AG | | | | 577 | | 81,737 | |
Vonovia SE | | | | 14,368 | | 415,813 | |
Zalando SE | | | | 4,518 | b,c | 118,634 | |
| | | | 25,879,196 | |
Hong Kong - 2.0% | | | | | |
AIA Group Ltd. | | | | 221,600 | | 1,624,991 | |
BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd. | | | | 73,000 | | 223,752 | |
CK Asset Holdings Ltd. | | | | 38,475 | | 164,224 | |
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. | | | | 53,475 | | 259,894 | |
CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. | | | | 12,500 | | 70,788 | |
CLP Holdings Ltd. | | | | 32,288 | | 254,500 | |
ESR Group Ltd. | | | | 33,200 | a,c | 36,353 | |
Futu Holdings Ltd., ADR | | | | 1,142 | a,b | 73,442 | |
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. | | | | 42,277 | | 189,995 | |
Hang Lung Properties Ltd. | | | | 38,000 | | 42,319 | |
Hang Seng Bank Ltd. | | | | 15,000 | | 198,417 | |
Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. | | | | 26,138 | | 79,078 | |
HKT Trust & HKT Ltd. | | | | 75,660 | | 83,552 | |
Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd. | | | | 216,267 | | 164,769 | |
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. | | | | 23,542 | | 747,870 | |
Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd. | | | | 22,600 | | 72,175 | |
Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. | | | | 3,046 | | 116,444 | |
Link REIT | | | | 51,039 | | 219,981 | |
MTR Corp. Ltd. | | | | 28,256 | | 93,064 | |
Power Assets Holdings Ltd. | | | | 26,000 | | 149,074 | |
Prudential PLC | | | | 53,640 | | 466,765 | |
Sino Land Co. Ltd. | | | | 75,631 | a | 81,030 | |
SITC International Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 27,000 | a | 58,814 | |
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. | | | | 28,699 | | 265,172 | |
Swire Pacific Ltd., Cl. A | | | | 7,500 | | 63,711 | |
Swire Properties Ltd. | | | | 21,200 | | 43,966 | |
10
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Hong Kong - 2.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. | | | | 27,365 | | 380,427 | |
The Wharf Holdings Ltd. | | | | 22,000 | a | 71,138 | |
WH Group Ltd. | | | | 156,885 | c | 113,887 | |
Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd. | | | | 30,311 | | 94,181 | |
| | | | 6,503,773 | |
Ireland - 1.3% | | | | | |
AerCap Holdings NV | | | | 3,906 | b | 330,018 | |
AIB Group PLC | | | | 29,553 | | 152,652 | |
Bank of Ireland Group PLC | | | | 20,413 | | 217,574 | |
CRH PLC | | | | 13,534 | | 1,046,336 | |
DCC PLC | | | | 1,867 | | 127,663 | |
Experian PLC | | | | 18,032 | | 727,445 | |
Flutter Entertainment PLC | | | | 3,453 | b | 637,538 | |
James Hardie Industries PLC-CDI | | | | 8,511 | b | 294,333 | |
Kerry Group PLC, Cl. A | | | | 3,047 | | 262,708 | |
Kingspan Group PLC | | | | 3,083 | | 273,599 | |
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC | | | | 5,051 | | 218,864 | |
| | | | 4,288,730 | |
Israel - .7% | | | | | |
Azrieli Group Ltd. | | | | 888 | | 57,244 | |
Bank Hapoalim BM | | | | 23,888 | | 215,654 | |
Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM | | | | 30,178 | | 235,591 | |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. | | | | 1,805 | b | 269,703 | |
CyberArk Software Ltd. | | | | 809 | b | 193,553 | |
Elbit Systems Ltd. | | | | 518 | | 105,618 | |
Global-e Online Ltd. | | | | 1,741 | b | 58,376 | |
ICL Group Ltd. | | | | 15,943 | | 74,479 | |
Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Cl. A | | | | 23,281 | | 119,601 | |
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. | | | | 3,149 | | 114,988 | |
Monday.com Ltd. | | | | 546 | b | 103,374 | |
NICE Ltd. | | | | 1,246 | b | 278,303 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR | | | | 22,029 | b | 309,507 | |
Wix.com Ltd. | | | | 1,054 | b | 125,289 | |
| | | | 2,261,280 | |
Italy - 2.4% | | | | | |
Amplifon SpA | | | | 2,343 | | 78,093 | |
Assicurazioni Generali SpA | | | | 19,771 | | 482,422 | |
Banco BPM SpA | | | | 22,994 | | 151,311 | |
Davide Campari-Milano NV | | | | 12,446 | a | 124,952 | |
DiaSorin SpA | | | | 419 | | 42,257 | |
Enel SpA | | | | 158,379 | | 1,043,073 | |
Eni SpA | | | | 42,729 | | 685,997 | |
11
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Italy - 2.4% (continued) | | | | | |
Ferrari NV | | | | 2,459 | | 1,013,931 | |
FinecoBank SpA | | | | 12,040 | | 184,473 | |
Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA | | | | 6,516 | c | 69,860 | |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | | | | 285,312 | | 1,070,560 | |
Leonardo SpA | | | | 7,778 | | 179,108 | |
Mediobanca Banca Di Credito Finanziario SpA | | | | 9,948 | | 141,467 | |
Moncler SpA | | | | 4,014 | | 273,972 | |
Nexi SpA | | | | 11,215 | b,c | 65,363 | |
Poste Italiane SpA | | | | 8,917 | c | 113,197 | |
Prysmian SpA | | | | 5,191 | | 282,219 | |
Recordati Industria Chimica E Farmaceutica SpA | | | | 2,094 | | 111,275 | |
Snam SpA | | | | 40,181 | | 184,481 | |
Telecom Italia SpA | | | | 210,456 | a | 49,850 | |
Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale | | | | 27,765 | | 221,222 | |
UniCredit SpA | | | | 30,064 | | 1,106,026 | |
| | | | 7,675,109 | |
Japan - 22.5% | | | | | |
Advantest Corp. | | | | 15,000 | | 461,084 | |
Aeon Co. Ltd. | | | | 13,000 | | 271,726 | |
AGC, Inc. | | | | 3,860 | | 142,529 | |
Aisin Corp. | | | | 2,800 | | 106,269 | |
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. | | | | 9,100 | | 337,552 | |
ANA Holdings, Inc. | | | | 3,300 | | 62,618 | |
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. | | | | 9,300 | | 317,807 | |
Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,900 | | 57,313 | |
Asahi Kasei Corp. | | | | 24,700 | | 172,252 | |
Astellas Pharma, Inc. | | | | 35,395 | | 339,869 | |
Azbil Corp. | | | | 2,400 | | 67,046 | |
Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc. | | | | 11,850 | | 222,451 | |
Bridgestone Corp. | | | | 11,100 | | 489,922 | |
Brother Industries Ltd. | | | | 4,700 | | 83,158 | |
Canon, Inc. | | | | 19,517 | | 528,137 | |
Capcom Co. Ltd. | | | | 6,800 | | 112,467 | |
Central Japan Railway Co. | | | | 15,100 | | 345,789 | |
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | | 12,600 | | 162,042 | |
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | | | 13,184 | | 419,954 | |
Concordia Financial Group Ltd. | | | | 20,200 | | 108,774 | |
Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,800 | | 110,673 | |
Daifuku Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,900 | | 121,044 | |
Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. | | | | 18,300 | | 421,824 | |
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. | | | | 35,949 | | 1,218,574 | |
12
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Japan - 22.5% (continued) | | | | | |
Daikin Industries Ltd. | | | | 5,100 | | 692,166 | |
Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd. | | | | 1,200 | | 128,603 | |
Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd. | | | | 11,800 | | 331,020 | |
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. | | | | 25,700 | | 188,169 | |
Denso Corp. | | | | 37,200 | | 632,345 | |
Dentsu Group, Inc. | | | | 3,900 | | 105,656 | |
Disco Corp. | | | | 1,800 | | 509,798 | |
East Japan Railway Co. | | | | 17,400 | | 320,690 | |
Eisai Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,000 | | 205,813 | |
ENEOS Holdings, Inc. | | | | 56,426 | | 259,833 | |
FANUC Corp. | | | | 18,645 | a | 545,679 | |
Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,374 | | 881,786 | |
Fuji Electric Co. Ltd. | | | | 2,400 | | 149,465 | |
FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. | | | | 21,900 | | 466,479 | |
Fujitsu Ltd. | | | | 33,800 | | 519,527 | |
GLP J-REIT | | | | 95 | | 77,249 | |
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. | | | | 2,700 | | 98,895 | |
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. | | | | 4,400 | | 115,306 | |
Hikari Tsushin, Inc. | | | | 400 | | 64,939 | |
Hirose Electric Co. Ltd. | | | | 533 | | 56,447 | |
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. | | | | 2,100 | | 60,051 | |
Hitachi Ltd. | | | | 18,080 | | 1,664,835 | |
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. | | | | 90,077 | | 1,024,379 | |
Hoshizaki Corp. | | | | 2,200 | | 75,768 | |
Hoya Corp. | | | | 6,800 | | 790,077 | |
Hulic Co. Ltd. | | | | 7,800 | | 72,040 | |
Ibiden Co. Ltd. | | | | 2,300 | | 88,064 | |
Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. | | | | 19,375 | | 131,631 | |
Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 2,900 | | 37,127 | |
Inpex Corp. | | | | 19,000 | | 284,948 | |
Isuzu Motors Ltd. | | | | 11,400 | | 144,510 | |
ITOCHU Corp. | | | | 23,100 | | 1,032,938 | |
Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,000 | | 53,210 | |
Japan Exchange Group, Inc. | | | | 9,700 | | 226,750 | |
Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Corp. | | | | 139 | | 83,932 | |
Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd. | | | | 27,900 | | 282,373 | |
Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 40,400 | | 386,574 | |
Japan Post Insurance Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,900 | | 72,853 | |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. | | | | 26 | | 88,261 | |
Japan Tobacco, Inc. | | | | 23,200 | | 623,090 | |
JFE Holdings, Inc. | | | | 11,160 | | 166,694 | |
Kajima Corp. | | | | 8,100 | | 154,535 | |
13
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Japan - 22.5% (continued) | | | | | |
Kao Corp. | | | | 9,000 | | 371,522 | |
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. | | | | 7,200 | | 101,491 | |
KDDI Corp. | | | | 29,063 | | 808,589 | |
KDX Realty Investment Corp. | | | | 77 | | 76,016 | |
Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd. | | | | 2,800 | | 104,367 | |
Keyence Corp. | | | | 3,740 | | 1,656,656 | |
Kikkoman Corp. | | | | 13,000 | | 154,859 | |
Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,635 | | 93,382 | |
Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 15,300 | | 222,922 | |
Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,000 | | 65,018 | |
Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,800 | | 51,179 | |
Komatsu Ltd. | | | | 18,100 | | 541,660 | |
Konami Group Corp. | | | | 1,900 | | 114,549 | |
Kubota Corp. | | | | 19,300 | | 310,013 | |
Kyocera Corp. | | | | 24,900 | | 303,079 | |
Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,405 | | 90,798 | |
Lasertec Corp. | | | | 1,400 | | 330,504 | |
LY Corp. | | | | 52,100 | | 126,372 | |
M3, Inc. | | | | 8,900 | | 93,940 | |
Makita Corp. | | | | 4,300 | | 124,049 | |
Marubeni Corp. | | | | 28,100 | | 502,955 | |
Matsukiyococokara & Co. | | | | 7,000 | | 99,484 | |
Mazda Motor Corp. | | | | 11,000 | | 124,659 | |
McDonald's Holdings Co. Japan Ltd. | | | | 1,500 | | 65,958 | |
MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 4,784 | | 106,994 | |
Minebea Mitsumi, Inc. | | | | 7,200 | | 135,149 | |
MISUMI Group, Inc. | | | | 5,738 | | 94,496 | |
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp. | | | | 25,980 | | 151,266 | |
Mitsubishi Corp. | | | | 67,294 | | 1,537,147 | |
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. | | | | 38,000 | | 663,987 | |
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. | | | | 22,300 | | 409,431 | |
Mitsubishi HC Capital, Inc. | | | | 15,800 | | 102,364 | |
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. | | | | 61,700 | | 550,943 | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 216,590 | | 2,155,826 | |
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. | | | | 25,400 | | 1,224,091 | |
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. | | | | 3,300 | | 94,173 | |
Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd. | | | | 52,158 | | 530,259 | |
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. | | | | 6,700 | | 213,568 | |
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 47,350 | | 913,033 | |
MonotaRO Co. Ltd. | | | | 4,900 | | 59,337 | |
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. | | | | 25,371 | | 454,998 | |
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | | | 33,900 | | 616,844 | |
NEC Corp. | | | | 4,780 | | 346,642 | |
14
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Japan - 22.5% (continued) | | | | | |
NEXON Co. Ltd. | | | | 6,600 | | 103,603 | |
Nidec Corp. | | | | 8,000 | | 375,483 | |
Nintendo Co. Ltd. | | | | 20,250 | | 986,828 | |
Nippon Building Fund, Inc. | | | | 30 | | 114,680 | |
Nippon Express Holdings, Inc. | | | | 1,452 | | 74,240 | |
Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 18,300 | | 117,348 | |
Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc. | | | | 44 | | 75,886 | |
Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp. | | | | 3,500 | | 103,756 | |
Nippon Steel Corp. | | | | 16,461 | | 368,294 | |
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. | | | | 587,300 | | 634,685 | |
Nippon Yusen KK | | | | 8,940 | | 254,828 | |
Nissan Chemical Corp. | | | | 2,300 | | 78,444 | |
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. | | | | 46,900 | | 170,127 | |
Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,900 | | 104,039 | |
Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 1,600 | | 213,909 | |
Nitto Denko Corp. | | | | 2,700 | | 222,654 | |
Nomura Holdings, Inc. | | | | 58,000 | | 330,627 | |
Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc. | | | | 2,100 | | 58,770 | |
Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc. | | | | 74 | | 70,789 | |
Nomura Research Institute Ltd. | | | | 7,749 | | 187,564 | |
NTT Data Group Corp. | | | | 12,300 | | 191,700 | |
Obayashi Corp. | | | | 12,300 | | 136,958 | |
OBIC Co. Ltd. | | | | 1,300 | | 167,627 | |
Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,900 | | 66,333 | |
Olympus Corp. | | | | 23,500 | | 326,953 | |
Omron Corp. | | | | 3,300 | | 113,604 | |
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | | | 7,100 | | 102,383 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | | 800 | | 60,167 | |
Oriental Land Co. Ltd. | | | | 21,400 | | 589,939 | |
ORIX Corp. | | | | 23,000 | | 471,163 | |
Osaka Gas Co. Ltd. | | | | 7,300 | | 161,876 | |
Otsuka Corp. | | | | 4,400 | | 87,466 | |
Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 8,300 | | 353,977 | |
Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. | | | | 7,400 | | 175,250 | |
Panasonic Holdings Corp. | | | | 43,195 | | 376,286 | |
Rakuten Group, Inc. | | | | 28,600 | | 136,593 | |
Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 28,100 | | 1,221,268 | |
Renesas Electronics Corp. | | | | 28,800 | | 474,539 | |
Resona Holdings, Inc. | | | | 41,300 | | 261,242 | |
Ricoh Co. Ltd. | | | | 10,200 | | 88,510 | |
Rohm Co. Ltd. | | | | 6,200 | | 89,701 | |
SBI Holdings, Inc. | | | | 5,030 | | 122,292 | |
SCREEN Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 1,600 | | 166,010 | |
15
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Japan - 22.5% (continued) | | | | | |
SCSK Corp. | | | | 3,100 | | 56,314 | |
Secom Co. Ltd. | | | | 4,100 | | 285,415 | |
Seiko Epson Corp. | | | | 5,300 | | 87,105 | |
Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. | | | | 7,400 | | 107,652 | |
Sekisui House Ltd. | | | | 11,400 | | 261,261 | |
Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 44,280 | | 571,717 | |
SG Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 6,100 | | 71,430 | |
Sharp Corp. | | | | 5,500 | b | 28,857 | |
Shimadzu Corp. | | | | 4,800 | | 130,583 | |
Shimano, Inc. | | | | 1,500 | | 243,754 | |
Shimizu Corp. | | | | 10,400 | | 64,538 | |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. | | | | 35,100 | | 1,368,606 | |
Shionogi & Co. Ltd. | | | | 4,800 | | 224,348 | |
Shiseido Co. Ltd. | | | | 7,900 | | 210,973 | |
Shizuoka Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 9,500 | | 88,380 | |
SMC Corp. | | | | 1,100 | | 578,559 | |
Softbank Corp. | | | | 56,500 | | 684,447 | |
SoftBank Group Corp. | | | | 20,040 | | 989,388 | |
Sompo Holdings, Inc. | | | | 17,610 | | 346,666 | |
Sony Group Corp. | | | | 24,580 | | 2,030,363 | |
Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 1,500 | | 54,270 | |
Subaru Corp. | | | | 11,700 | | 260,599 | |
Sumco Corp. | | | | 7,100 | | 106,417 | |
Sumitomo Corp. | | | | 20,300 | | 532,404 | |
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | | | | 14,100 | | 217,369 | |
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,000 | | 168,612 | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 24,800 | | 1,407,816 | |
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. | | | | 12,828 | | 269,654 | |
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,600 | | 194,609 | |
Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. | | | | 2,600 | | 84,508 | |
Suzuki Motor Corp. | | | | 30,400 | | 353,665 | |
Sysmex Corp. | | | | 9,900 | | 159,028 | |
T&D Holdings, Inc. | | | | 9,800 | | 159,434 | |
Taisei Corp. | | | | 3,400 | | 124,202 | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | | | | 31,023 | | 817,409 | |
TDK Corp. | | | | 7,700 | | 339,892 | |
Terumo Corp. | | | | 26,400 | | 450,476 | |
The Chiba Bank Ltd. | | | | 10,000 | | 84,352 | |
The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. | | | | 13,999 | | 209,582 | |
TIS, Inc. | | | | 4,500 | | 96,036 | |
Tobu Railway Co. Ltd. | | | | 3,800 | | 75,442 | |
Toho Co. Ltd. | | | | 2,100 | | 70,419 | |
16
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Japan - 22.5% (continued) | | | | | |
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. | | | | 35,000 | | 1,099,013 | |
Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings, Inc. | | | | 29,772 | b | 185,220 | |
Tokyo Electron Ltd. | | | | 9,200 | | 2,020,193 | |
Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. | | | | 7,300 | | 163,742 | |
Tokyu Corp. | | | | 10,010 | | 118,478 | |
Toppan Holdings, Inc. | | | | 4,500 | | 106,556 | |
Toray Industries, Inc. | | | | 27,300 | | 124,289 | |
TOTO Ltd. | | | | 2,600 | | 70,702 | |
Toyota Industries Corp. | | | | 2,900 | | 273,617 | |
Toyota Motor Corp. | | | | 206,875 | | 4,738,328 | |
Toyota Tsusho Corp. | | | | 4,100 | | 260,298 | |
Trend Micro, Inc. | | | | 2,700 | | 132,936 | |
Unicharm Corp. | | | | 7,900 | | 234,944 | |
USS Co. Ltd. | | | | 7,600 | | 58,057 | |
West Japan Railway Co. | | | | 8,600 | | 163,381 | |
Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,200 | | 101,755 | |
Yamaha Corp. | | | | 2,700 | | 56,926 | |
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. | | | | 17,400 | | 162,110 | |
Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 5,200 | | 68,652 | |
Yaskawa Electric Corp. | | | | 4,600 | | 189,191 | |
Yokogawa Electric Corp. | | | | 4,700 | | 104,069 | |
Zensho Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | | 1,900 | | 73,796 | |
ZOZO, Inc. | | | | 2,700 | | 58,117 | |
| | | | 73,289,260 | |
Jordan - .0% | | | | | |
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC | | | | 3,276 | | 78,687 | |
Luxembourg - .2% | | | | | |
ArcelorMittal SA | | | | 9,843 | | 246,221 | |
Eurofins Scientific SE | | | | 2,599 | a,b | 159,475 | |
Tenaris SA | | | | 9,027 | | 150,819 | |
| | | | 556,515 | |
Macau - .0% | | | | | |
Sands China Ltd. | | | | 46,213 | b | 109,482 | |
Netherlands - 5.1% | | | | | |
ABN AMRO Bank NV-CVA | | | | 9,364 | c | 150,078 | |
Adyen NV | | | | 423 | b,c | 504,123 | |
Aegon Ltd. | | | | 28,320 | | 176,276 | |
Akzo Nobel NV | | | | 3,380 | | 223,500 | |
argenx SE | | | | 1,158 | b | 433,868 | |
ASM International NV | | | | 921 | | 574,988 | |
ASML Holding NV | | | | 7,864 | | 6,854,441 | |
ASR Nederland NV | | | | 3,034 | | 151,733 | |
BE Semiconductor Industries NV | | | | 1,490 | | 195,897 | |
17
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Netherlands - 5.1% (continued) | | | | | |
Euronext NV | | | | 1,717 | c | 154,356 | |
EXOR NV | | | | 1,852 | | 201,775 | |
Heineken Holding NV | | | | 2,545 | | 204,446 | |
Heineken NV | | | | 5,660 | | 551,055 | |
IMCD NV | | | | 1,104 | | 167,397 | |
ING Groep NV | | | | 64,827 | | 1,020,922 | |
JDE Peet's NV | | | | 1,995 | | 44,285 | |
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV | | | | 18,555 | | 562,910 | |
Koninklijke KPN NV | | | | 65,449 | | 237,985 | |
Koninklijke Philips NV | | | | 15,147 | | 404,364 | |
NN Group NV | | | | 5,116 | | 235,865 | |
OCI NV | | | | 2,209 | b | 59,650 | |
Prosus NV | | | | 28,411 | | 953,825 | |
QIAGEN NV | | | | 4,328 | b | 180,460 | |
Randstad NV | | | | 2,072 | | 103,989 | |
Stellantis NV | | | | 14,164 | | 312,704 | |
Stellantis NV | | | | 28,971 | | 643,740 | |
Universal Music Group NV | | | | 16,072 | | 472,112 | |
Wolters Kluwer NV | | | | 4,848 | | 724,871 | |
| | | | 16,501,615 | |
New Zealand - .2% | | | | | |
Auckland International Airport Ltd. | | | | 26,832 | | 124,199 | |
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd. | | | | 11,221 | | 187,733 | |
Mercury NZ Ltd. | | | | 12,516 | | 47,030 | |
Meridian Energy Ltd. | | | | 24,249 | | 85,663 | |
Spark New Zealand Ltd. | | | | 36,770 | | 103,355 | |
Xero Ltd. | | | | 2,809 | a,b | 218,535 | |
| | | | 766,515 | |
Norway - .6% | | | | | |
Aker BP ASA | | | | 6,119 | | 148,466 | |
DNB Bank ASA | | | | 18,041 | | 314,692 | |
Equinor ASA | | | | 17,468 | | 465,483 | |
Gjensidige Forsikring ASA | | | | 3,811 | | 61,328 | |
Kongsberg Gruppen ASA | | | | 1,795 | | 126,862 | |
Mowi ASA | | | | 9,109 | | 159,863 | |
Norsk Hydro ASA | | | | 26,090 | | 160,514 | |
Orkla ASA | | | | 12,977 | | 88,185 | |
SalMar ASA | | | | 1,288 | | 81,046 | |
Telenor ASA | | | | 12,063 | | 138,734 | |
Yara International ASA | | | | 3,374 | | 96,410 | |
| | | | 1,841,583 | |
Portugal - .2% | | | | | |
EDP - Energias de Portugal SA | | | | 61,213 | | 230,389 | |
18
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Portugal - .2% (continued) | | | | | |
Galp Energia SGPS SA | | | | 8,866 | b | 189,572 | |
Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA | | | | 5,684 | b | 116,956 | |
| | | | 536,917 | |
Singapore - 1.4% | | | | | |
Capitaland Ascendas REIT | | | | 71,727 | | 136,159 | |
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust | | | | 101,477 | | 145,165 | |
CapitaLand Investment Ltd. | | | | 51,900 | | 100,790 | |
City Developments Ltd. | | | | 9,800 | | 44,037 | |
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. | | | | 38,772 | | 991,519 | |
Genting Singapore Ltd. | | | | 115,727 | | 77,559 | |
Grab Holdings Ltd., Cl. A | | | | 36,481 | a,b | 127,683 | |
Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd. | | | | 2,000 | | 38,631 | |
Keppel Ltd. | | | | 27,700 | | 138,798 | |
Mapletree Logistics Trust | | | | 67,611 | | 66,666 | |
Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust | | | | 49,700 | | 45,715 | |
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. | | | | 66,524 | | 692,342 | |
Sea Ltd., ADR | | | | 7,122 | b | 450,039 | |
Seatrium Ltd. | | | | 897,420 | b | 64,229 | |
Sembcorp Industries Ltd. | | | | 17,800 | | 69,988 | |
Singapore Airlines Ltd. | | | | 28,933 | a | 137,998 | |
Singapore Exchange Ltd. | | | | 17,400 | | 119,096 | |
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. | | | | 29,700 | | 87,183 | |
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. | | | | 161,051 | | 279,186 | |
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | | | | 24,463 | | 542,345 | |
Wilmar International Ltd. | | | | 38,900 | | 91,538 | |
| | | | 4,446,666 | |
Spain - 2.6% | | | | | |
Acciona SA | | | | 464 | b | 53,632 | |
ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA | | | | 4,171 | | 166,921 | |
Aena SME SA | | | | 1,481 | c | 270,678 | |
Amadeus IT Group SA | | | | 8,854 | | 561,779 | |
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA | | | | 113,880 | | 1,228,511 | |
Banco Santander SA | | | | 315,702 | | 1,532,478 | |
CaixaBank SA | | | | 72,600 | | 382,405 | |
Cellnex Telecom SA | | | | 8,958 | c | 295,374 | |
EDP Renovaveis SA | | | | 5,796 | | 79,624 | |
Enagas SA | | | | 5,005 | a | 73,644 | |
Endesa SA | | | | 6,346 | | 115,829 | |
Ferrovial SE | | | | 9,970 | b | 358,078 | |
Grifols SA | | | | 6,175 | a,b | 56,463 | |
Iberdrola SA | | | | 119,709 | | 1,470,714 | |
Industria de Diseno Textil SA | | | | 21,238 | | 964,597 | |
19
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Spain - 2.6% (continued) | | | | | |
Redeia Corp. SA | | | | 8,157 | | 136,264 | |
Repsol SA | | | | 23,542 | | 366,569 | |
Telefonica SA | | | | 95,614 | | 428,943 | |
| | | | 8,542,503 | |
Sweden - 3.0% | | | | | |
Alfa Laval AB | | | | 5,575 | | 238,766 | |
Assa Abloy AB, Cl. B | | | | 19,521 | | 519,835 | |
Atlas Copco AB, Cl. A | | | | 52,790 | | 930,325 | |
Atlas Copco AB, Cl. B | | | | 30,448 | | 459,731 | |
Beijer Ref AB | | | | 7,525 | a | 107,531 | |
Boliden AB | | | | 5,219 | | 172,768 | |
Epiroc AB, Cl. A | | | | 13,131 | | 242,041 | |
Epiroc AB, Cl. B | | | | 7,380 | | 123,061 | |
EQT AB | | | | 7,284 | | 197,620 | |
Essity AB, Cl. B | | | | 11,760 | | 292,697 | |
Evolution AB | | | | 3,572 | c | 397,389 | |
Fastighets AB Balder, Cl. B | | | | 12,577 | b | 80,239 | |
Getinge AB, Cl. B | | | | 4,289 | | 90,776 | |
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Cl. B | | | | 12,669 | | 202,322 | |
Hexagon AB, Cl. B | | | | 40,595 | | 427,740 | |
Holmen AB, Cl. B | | | | 1,560 | | 60,935 | |
Husqvarna AB, Cl. B | | | | 6,203 | a | 50,555 | |
Industrivarden AB, Cl. A | | | | 2,389 | | 76,956 | |
Industrivarden AB, Cl. C | | | | 2,992 | | 96,317 | |
Indutrade AB | | | | 5,472 | | 126,749 | |
Investment AB Latour, Cl. B | | | | 2,748 | | 66,627 | |
Investor AB, Cl. B | | | | 33,763 | | 829,806 | |
L E Lundbergforetagen AB, Cl. B | | | | 1,438 | | 71,148 | |
Lifco AB, Cl. B | | | | 4,434 | | 107,960 | |
Nibe Industrier AB, Cl. B | | | | 28,824 | | 134,402 | |
Saab AB, Cl. B | | | | 1,603 | | 127,345 | |
Sagax AB, Cl. B | | | | 3,979 | | 100,091 | |
Sandvik AB | | | | 20,822 | | 417,990 | |
Securitas AB, Cl. B | | | | 9,450 | a | 95,110 | |
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Cl. A | | | | 30,955 | | 405,680 | |
Skanska AB, Cl. B | | | | 6,944 | a | 120,133 | |
SKF AB, Cl. B | | | | 6,780 | | 140,537 | |
Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Cl. B | | | | 11,575 | | 170,135 | |
Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Cl. A | | | | 28,809 | | 251,468 | |
Swedbank AB, Cl. A | | | | 16,415 | | 314,861 | |
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB | | | | 3,911 | b | 101,159 | |
Tele2 AB, Cl. B | | | | 10,829 | a | 101,312 | |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Cl. B | | | | 58,112 | | 296,400 | |
20
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Sweden - 3.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Telia Co. AB | | | | 46,126 | | 105,642 | |
Volvo AB, Cl. A | | | | 4,030 | | 106,450 | |
Volvo AB, Cl. B | | | | 29,658 | | 758,661 | |
Volvo Car AB, Cl. B | | | | 12,960 | a,b | 40,719 | |
| | | | 9,757,989 | |
Switzerland - 9.6% | | | | | |
ABB Ltd. | | | | 31,205 | | 1,513,223 | |
Adecco Group AG | | | | 3,121 | | 108,989 | |
Alcon, Inc. | | | | 9,706 | | 745,309 | |
Avolta AG | | | | 1,937 | | 73,006 | |
Bachem Holding AG | | | | 615 | | 53,502 | |
Baloise Holding AG | | | | 920 | | 138,746 | |
Banque Cantonale Vaudoise | | | | 612 | | 63,993 | |
Barry Callebaut AG | | | | 70 | | 113,071 | |
BKW AG | | | | 418 | | 61,941 | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG | | | | 2 | | 231,425 | |
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG-PC | | | | 19 | | 219,180 | |
Cie Financiere Richemont SA, CI. A | | | | 10,487 | b | 1,451,217 | |
Clariant AG | | | | 4,234 | b | 63,157 | |
Coca-Cola HBC AG | | | | 4,217 | b | 136,373 | |
DSM-Firmenich AG | | | | 3,631 | b | 406,519 | |
EMS-Chemie Holding AG | | | | 132 | b | 105,414 | |
Geberit AG | | | | 654 | | 349,232 | |
Givaudan SA | | | | 180 | | 769,366 | |
Glencore PLC | | | | 202,298 | | 1,178,138 | |
Helvetia Holding AG | | | | 729 | | 95,033 | |
Holcim Ltd. | | | | 10,132 | | 849,377 | |
Julius Baer Group Ltd. | | | | 4,050 | | 218,095 | |
Kuehne + Nagel International AG | | | | 1,047 | | 277,460 | |
Logitech International SA | | | | 3,232 | b | 251,239 | |
Lonza Group AG | | | | 1,445 | | 800,084 | |
Nestle SA | | | | 52,083 | | 5,224,409 | |
Novartis AG | | | | 39,984 | | 3,862,092 | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | | | 443 | | 568,027 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | | 13,705 | | 3,278,775 | |
Roche Holding AG-BR | | | | 638 | | 166,763 | |
Sandoz Group AG | | | | 8,116 | | 274,735 | |
Schindler Holding AG | | | | 451 | | 109,954 | |
Schindler Holding AG-PC | | | | 810 | | 201,584 | |
SGS SA | | | | 3,099 | | 272,982 | |
Sig Group AG | | | | 6,078 | | 121,468 | |
Sika AG | | | | 2,996 | | 850,676 | |
21
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Switzerland - 9.6% (continued) | | | | | |
Sonova Holding AG | | | | 981 | b | 272,108 | |
STMicroelectronics NV | | | | 13,343 | | 526,863 | |
Straumann Holding AG | | | | 2,177 | | 290,785 | |
Swiss Life Holding AG | | | | 577 | | 389,288 | |
Swiss Prime Site AG | | | | 1,454 | | 134,524 | |
Swiss Re AG | | | | 5,851 | | 631,744 | |
Swisscom AG | | | | 498 | | 272,718 | |
Temenos AG | | | | 1,260 | | 78,645 | |
The Swatch Group AG | | | | 1,118 | | 46,381 | |
The Swatch Group AG-BR | | | | 583 | | 122,184 | |
UBS Group AG | | | | 64,158 | | 1,678,540 | |
VAT Group AG | | | | 534 | c | 264,745 | |
Zurich Insurance Group AG | | | | 2,855 | | 1,374,075 | |
| | | | 31,287,154 | |
United Arab Emirates - .0% | | | | | |
NMC Health PLC | | | | 4,176 | b,d | 1 | |
United Kingdom - 13.5% | | | | | |
3i Group PLC | | | | 18,827 | | 671,036 | |
abrdn PLC | | | | 32,996 | | 60,227 | |
Admiral Group PLC | | | | 5,128 | | 174,738 | |
Anglo American PLC | | | | 24,973 | | 814,852 | |
Ashtead Group PLC | | | | 8,606 | | 622,090 | |
Associated British Foods PLC | | | | 6,790 | | 223,798 | |
AstraZeneca PLC | | | | 30,239 | | 4,552,899 | |
Auto Trader Group PLC | | | | 17,422 | c | 150,870 | |
Aviva PLC | | | | 52,733 | | 305,618 | |
BAE Systems PLC | | | | 59,158 | | 983,904 | |
Barclays PLC | | | | 296,885 | | 746,529 | |
Barratt Developments PLC | | | | 18,819 | | 106,022 | |
Berkeley Group Holdings PLC | | | | 2,132 | | 124,650 | |
BP PLC | | | | 333,902 | | 2,159,938 | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | | 39,263 | | 1,150,750 | |
BT Group PLC | | | | 127,029 | a | 162,773 | |
Bunzl PLC | | | | 6,702 | | 256,314 | |
Burberry Group PLC | | | | 7,052 | | 101,111 | |
Centrica PLC | | | | 107,009 | | 170,343 | |
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC | | | | 3,984 | | 286,928 | |
Compass Group PLC | | | | 33,336 | | 926,370 | |
Croda International PLC | | | | 2,588 | | 147,968 | |
Diageo PLC | | | | 43,606 | | 1,503,686 | |
Endeavour Mining PLC | | | | 3,548 | | 74,898 | |
Entain PLC | | | | 12,946 | | 125,935 | |
GSK PLC | | | | 80,272 | | 1,663,938 | |
22
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
United Kingdom - 13.5% (continued) | | | | | |
Haleon PLC | | | | 129,512 | | 547,130 | |
Halma PLC | | | | 7,419 | | 203,077 | |
Hargreaves Lansdown PLC | | | | 6,874 | | 69,518 | |
HSBC Holdings PLC | | | | 373,704 | | 3,235,100 | |
Imperial Brands PLC | | | | 16,211 | | 369,646 | |
Informa PLC | | | | 26,444 | | 261,252 | |
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC | | | | 3,182 | | 310,045 | |
Intertek Group PLC | | | | 3,191 | | 195,878 | |
J Sainsbury PLC | | | | 33,229 | | 109,053 | |
JD Sports Fashion PLC | | | | 53,043 | | 75,561 | |
Kingfisher PLC | | | | 37,964 | | 116,891 | |
Land Securities Group PLC | | | | 13,869 | | 111,872 | |
Legal & General Group PLC | | | | 116,140 | | 340,671 | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC | | | | 1,248,898 | | 806,094 | |
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | | | | 8,103 | | 892,790 | |
M&G PLC | | | | 43,599 | | 109,296 | |
Melrose Industries PLC | | | | 25,416 | | 199,066 | |
Mondi PLC | | | | 8,693 | | 165,199 | |
National Grid PLC | | | | 72,560 | | 952,546 | |
NatWest Group PLC | | | | 111,278 | | 419,110 | |
Next PLC | | | | 2,389 | | 267,855 | |
Ocado Group PLC | | | | 10,807 | a,b | 47,472 | |
Pearson PLC | | | | 12,295 | | 148,615 | |
Persimmon PLC | | | | 6,373 | | 102,882 | |
Phoenix Group Holdings PLC | | | | 14,358 | | 87,477 | |
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | | 13,924 | | 776,723 | |
RELX PLC | | | | 36,777 | | 1,511,589 | |
Rentokil Initial PLC | | | | 49,300 | | 249,813 | |
Rio Tinto PLC | | | | 21,968 | | 1,497,082 | |
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC | | | | 163,461 | b | 840,672 | |
Schroders PLC | | | | 15,785 | | 68,904 | |
Segro PLC | | | | 23,027 | | 241,733 | |
Severn Trent PLC | | | | 5,249 | | 161,836 | |
Shell PLC | | | | 126,845 | | 4,520,324 | |
Smith & Nephew PLC | | | | 17,241 | | 210,598 | |
Smiths Group PLC | | | | 7,014 | | 141,286 | |
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC | | | | 1,463 | | 161,254 | |
SSE PLC | | | | 21,454 | | 446,839 | |
St. James's Place PLC | | | | 10,977 | | 59,289 | |
Standard Chartered PLC | | | | 44,642 | | 384,288 | |
Taylor Wimpey PLC | | | | 71,658 | | 116,943 | |
Tesco PLC | | | | 136,989 | | 505,457 | |
The Sage Group PLC | | | | 20,320 | | 294,381 | |
23
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 97.2% (continued) | | | | | |
United Kingdom - 13.5% (continued) | | | | | |
Unilever PLC | | | | 48,775 | | 2,521,399 | |
United Utilities Group PLC | | | | 13,090 | | 170,877 | |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | | 447,896 | | 378,284 | |
Whitbread PLC | | | | 3,559 | | 139,712 | |
Wise PLC, Cl. A | | | | 11,669 | b | 111,602 | |
WPP PLC | | | | 20,842 | | 209,530 | |
| | | | 44,132,696 | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $166,294,575) | | | | 316,533,670 | |
| | Preferred Dividend Yield (%) | | | | | |
Preferred Stocks - .4% | | | | | |
Germany - .4% | | | | | |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | | 8.61 | | 1,176 | | 120,780 | |
Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG | | 1.19 | | 2,266 | c | 201,893 | |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | | 2.25 | | 3,373 | | 267,919 | |
Porsche Automobil Holding SE | | 5.05 | | 2,930 | | 149,827 | |
Sartorius AG | | 0.25 | | 505 | | 152,141 | |
Volkswagen AG | | 7.17 | | 4,031 | | 495,098 | |
Total Preferred Stocks (cost $981,736) | | | | 1,387,658 | |
| | 1-Day Yield (%) | | | | | |
Investment Companies - 1.3% | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies - 1.3% | | | | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares (cost $4,268,943) | | 5.41 | | 4,268,943 | e | 4,268,943 | |
24
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | 1-Day Yield (%) | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Investment of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned - .3% | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies - .3% | | | | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares (cost $960,104) | | 5.41 | | 960,104 | e | 960,104 | |
Total Investments (cost $172,505,358) | | 99.2% | | 323,150,375 | |
Cash and Receivables (Net) | | .8% | | 2,525,462 | |
Net Assets | | 100.0% | | 325,675,837 | |
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
BR—Bearer Certificate
CVA—Company Voluntary Arrangement
PC—Participation Certificate
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
a Security, or portion thereof, on loan. At April 30, 2024, the value of the fund’s securities on loan was $2,078,205 and the value of the collateral was $2,226,264, consisting of cash collateral of $960,104 and U.S. Government & Agency securities valued at $1,266,160. In addition, the value of collateral may include pending sales that are also on loan.
b Non-income producing security.
c Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At April 30, 2024, these securities were valued at $4,012,868 or 1.23% of net assets.
d The fund held Level 3 securities at April 30, 2024. These securities were valued at $1 or .0% of net assets.
e Investment in affiliated issuer. The investment objective of this investment company is publicly available and can be found within the investment company’s prospectus.
25
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| |
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited) † | Value (%) |
Capital Goods | 12.8 |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | 10.4 |
Banks | 10.2 |
Materials | 7.1 |
Insurance | 5.0 |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco | 5.0 |
Automobiles & Components | 4.4 |
Energy | 4.3 |
Consumer Durables & Apparel | 4.1 |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | 4.0 |
Financial Services | 3.7 |
Utilities | 3.1 |
Software & Services | 2.6 |
Telecommunication Services | 2.4 |
Household & Personal Products | 2.4 |
Health Care Equipment & Services | 2.2 |
Commercial & Professional Services | 2.0 |
Technology Hardware & Equipment | 2.0 |
Transportation | 1.8 |
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail | 1.7 |
Consumer Services | 1.6 |
Investment Companies | 1.6 |
Media & Entertainment | 1.4 |
Real Estate Management & Development | 1.2 |
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts | 1.1 |
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | 1.1 |
| 99.2 |
† Based on net assets.
See notes to financial statements.
| | | | | | |
Affiliated Issuers | | | |
Description | Value ($) 10/31/2023 | Purchases ($)† | Sales ($) | Value ($) 4/30/2024 | Dividends/ Distributions ($) | |
Registered Investment Companies - 1.3% | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares - 1.3% | 1,044,914 | 25,700,528 | (22,476,499) | 4,268,943 | 98,570 | |
26
| | | | | | |
Affiliated Issuers (continued) | | | |
Description | Value ($) 10/31/2023 | Purchases ($)† | Sales ($) | Value ($) 4/30/2024 | Dividends/ Distributions ($) | |
Investment of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned - .3% | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares - .3% | 629,964 | 3,062,704 | (2,732,564) | 960,104 | 1,719 | †† |
Total - 1.6% | 1,674,878 | 28,763,232 | (25,209,063) | 5,229,047 | 100,289 | |
† Includes reinvested dividends/distributions.
†† Represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.
See notes to financial statements.
| | | | | | |
Futures | | | |
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration | Notional Value ($) | Market Value ($) | Unrealized (Depreciation) ($) | |
Futures Long | | |
MSCI EAFE Index | 53 | 6/21/2024 | 6,176,769 | 6,008,875 | (167,894) | |
Gross Unrealized Depreciation | | (167,894) | |
See notes to financial statements.
27
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | Cost | | Value | |
Assets ($): | | | | |
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments (including securities on loan, valued at $2,078,205)—Note 1(c): | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | 167,276,311 | | 317,921,328 | |
Affiliated issuers | | 5,229,047 | | 5,229,047 | |
Cash denominated in foreign currency | | | 410,173 | | 406,806 | |
Tax reclaim receivable—Note 1(b) | | 1,821,391 | |
Dividends and securities lending income receivable | | 1,284,703 | |
Cash collateral held by broker—Note 4 | | 225,000 | |
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed | | 122,796 | |
| | | | | 327,011,071 | |
Liabilities ($): | | | | |
Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates—Note 3(b) | | 130,333 | |
Cash overdraft due to Custodian | | | | | 325 | |
Liability for securities on loan—Note 1(c) | | 960,104 | |
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed | | 149,859 | |
Payable for futures variation margin—Note 4 | | 82,262 | |
Directors’ fees and expenses payable | | 12,351 | |
| | | | | 1,335,234 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 325,675,837 | |
Composition of Net Assets ($): | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | | | 206,849,027 | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | | | | | 118,826,810 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 325,675,837 | |
| | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | Investor Shares | Class I | |
Net Assets ($) | 228,563,539 | 97,112,298 | |
Shares Outstanding | 11,698,828 | 4,974,477 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share ($) | 19.54 | 19.52 | |
| | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | |
28
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Investment Income ($): | | | | |
Income: | | | | |
Cash dividends (net of $541,710 foreign taxes withheld at source): | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 4,711,522 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 98,570 | |
Interest | | | 9,137 | |
Income from securities lending—Note 1(c) | | | 1,719 | |
Total Income | | | 4,820,948 | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Management fee—Note 3(a) | | | 568,305 | |
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b) | | | 281,618 | |
Directors’ fees—Note 3(a,c) | | | 14,525 | |
Loan commitment fees—Note 2 | | | 3,484 | |
Interest expense—Note 2 | | | 1,052 | |
Total Expenses | | | 868,984 | |
Less—Directors’ fees reimbursed by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.—Note 3(a) | | | (14,525) | |
Net Expenses | | | 854,459 | |
Net Investment Income | | | 3,966,489 | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($): | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions | 8,487,491 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on futures | 427,820 | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) | | | 8,915,311 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | 36,598,226 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures | (127,642) | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | 36,470,584 | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | | | 45,385,895 | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | 49,352,384 | |
| | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | |
29
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (Unaudited) | | Year Ended October 31, 2023 | |
Operations ($): | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 3,966,489 | | | | 9,096,932 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | 8,915,311 | | | | 29,016,839 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 36,470,584 | | | | 18,336,798 | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 49,352,384 | | | | 56,450,569 | |
Distributions ($): | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | (7,044,295) | | | | (5,478,850) | |
Class I | | | (3,395,774) | | | | (3,121,521) | |
Total Distributions | | | (10,440,069) | | | | (8,600,371) | |
Capital Stock Transactions ($): | |
Net proceeds from shares sold: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | 14,308,566 | | | | 27,231,359 | |
Class I | | | 6,411,159 | | | | 10,066,633 | |
Distributions reinvested: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | 6,925,192 | | | | 5,409,725 | |
Class I | | | 1,205,841 | | | | 1,075,383 | |
Cost of shares redeemed: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | (22,250,636) | | | | (90,463,251) | |
Class I | | | (18,540,517) | | | | (52,206,229) | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Stock Transactions | (11,940,395) | | | | (98,886,380) | |
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | 26,971,920 | | | | (51,036,182) | |
Net Assets ($): | |
Beginning of Period | | | 298,703,917 | | | | 349,740,099 | |
End of Period | | | 325,675,837 | | | | 298,703,917 | |
Capital Share Transactions (Shares): | |
Investor Sharesa | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 748,228 | | | | 1,524,810 | |
Shares issued for distributions reinvested | | | 362,765 | | | | 324,519 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,158,921) | | | | (4,977,991) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (47,928) | | | | (3,128,662) | |
Class Ia | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 332,147 | | | | 564,007 | |
Shares issued for distributions reinvested | | | 63,265 | | | | 64,587 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (970,066) | | | | (2,914,302) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (574,654) | | | | (2,285,708) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
a | During the period ended October 31, 2023, 21,089 Class I shares representing $379,565 were exchanged for 21,093 Investor shares. | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | | | | |
30
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated. All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share. Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. Net asset value total return includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.
| | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
| April 30, 2024 | Year Ended October 31, |
Investor Shares | (Unaudited) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 17.27 | 15.40 | 20.78 | 15.85 | 17.52 | 16.24 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Net investment incomea | .23 | .44 | .41 | .39 | .29 | .46 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 2.65 | 1.81 | (5.10) | 4.85 | (1.46) | 1.22 |
Total from Investment Operations | 2.88 | 2.25 | (4.69) | 5.24 | (1.17) | 1.68 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | (.61) | (.38) | (.69) | (.31) | (.50) | (.40) |
Net asset value, end of period | 19.54 | 17.27 | 15.40 | 20.78 | 15.85 | 17.52 |
Total Return (%) | 16.73b | 14.67 | (23.36) | 33.21 | (7.01) | 10.79 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | .61c | .61 | .61 | .61 | .61 | .61 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | .60c | .61 | .60 | .60 | .60 | .60 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 2.37c | 2.45 | 2.27 | 2.00 | 1.80 | 2.76 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 1.44b | 2.40 | 3.41 | 2.99 | 3.15 | 7.58 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 228,564 | 202,830 | 229,028 | 303,693 | 290,572 | 366,092 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Not annualized.
c Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
31
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
| | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
| April 30, 2024 | Year Ended October 31, |
Class I Shares | (Unaudited) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 17.28 | 15.41 | 20.80 | 15.86 | 17.53 | 16.26 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Net investment incomea | .25 | .48 | .47 | .45 | .33 | .50 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 2.65 | 1.81 | (5.12) | 4.84 | (1.46) | 1.22 |
Total from Investment Operations | 2.90 | 2.29 | (4.65) | 5.29 | (1.13) | 1.72 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | (.66) | (.42) | (.74) | (.35) | (.54) | (.45) |
Net asset value, end of period | 19.52 | 17.28 | 15.41 | 20.80 | 15.86 | 17.53 |
Total Return (%) | 16.85b | 14.96 | (23.18) | 33.58 | (6.78) | 11.06 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | .36c | .36 | .36 | .36 | .36 | .36 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | .35c | .36 | .35 | .35 | .35 | .35 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 2.62c | 2.69 | 2.60 | 2.26 | 2.04 | 3.02 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 1.44b | 2.40 | 3.41 | 2.99 | 3.15 | 7.58 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 97,112 | 95,874 | 120,712 | 242,341 | 194,165 | 266,216 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Not annualized.
c Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
32
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:
BNY Mellon International Stock Index Fund (the “fund”) is a separate diversified series of BNY Mellon Index Funds, Inc. (the “Company”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company and operates as a series company currently offering three series, including the fund. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to match the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East Index (MSCI EAFE®). BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser.
BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge. The fund is authorized to issue 300 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock. The fund currently has authorized two classes of shares: Investor shares (200 million shares authorized) and Class I (100 million shares authorized). Investor shares are sold primarily to retail investors through financial intermediaries and bear Shareholder Services Plan fees. Class I shares are sold primarily to bank trust departments and other financial service providers (including BNY Mellon and its affiliates), acting on behalf of customers having a qualified trust or an investment account or relationship at such institution, and bear no Shareholder Services Plan fees. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.
The Company accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund is an investment company and applies the accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB
33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
ASC Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.
(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, 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 methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has designated the Adviser as the fund’s valuation designee to make all fair value
34
determinations with respect to the fund’s portfolio investments, subject to the Board’s oversight and pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act.
Investments in equity securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities are primarily traded. Securities listed on the National Market System for which market quotations are available are valued at the official closing price or, if there is no official closing price that day, at the last sales price. For open short positions, asked prices are used for valuation purposes. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Registered investment companies that are not traded on an exchange are valued at their net asset value. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Securities not listed on an exchange or the national securities market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. These securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Fair valuing of securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using calculations based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as prices of relevant ADRs and futures. Utilizing these techniques may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to accurately reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market), but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.
For securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and such securities are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange.
35
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Futures, which are traded on an exchange, are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded or at the last sales price on the national securities market on each business day and are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2024 in valuing the fund’s investments:
| | | | | | |
| Level 1-Unadjusted Quoted Prices | Level 2- Other Significant Observable Inputs | | Level 3-Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total | |
Assets ($) | | |
Investments in Securities:† | | |
Equity Securities - Common Stocks | 2,327,912 | 314,205,757 | †† | 1 | 316,533,670 | |
Equity Securities - Preferred Stocks | - | 1,387,658 | †† | - | 1,387,658 | |
Investment Companies | 5,229,047 | - | | - | 5,229,047 | |
Liabilities ($) | | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | |
Futures††† | (167,894) | - | | - | (167,894) | |
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations, if any.
†† Securities classified within Level 2 at period end as the values were determined pursuant to the fund’s fair valuation procedures.
††† Amount shown represents unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end, but only variation margin on exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives, if any, are reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
| |
| Equity Securities— Common Stock ($) |
Balance as of 10/31/2023† | 0 |
Realized gain (loss) | - |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 1 |
Purchases/Issuances | - |
Sales/Dispositions | - |
Transfers into Level 3 | - |
Transfers out of Level 3 | - |
Balance as of 4/30/2024† | 1 |
The amount of total net gain (loss) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to investments still held at 4/30/2024 | 1 |
† Securities deemed as Level 3 due to the lack of significant observable inputs by management assessment.
(b) Foreign currency transactions: The fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes
36
in the market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized on securities transactions between trade and settlement date, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments resulting from changes in exchange rates. Foreign currency gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are also included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Foreign taxes: The fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, realized and unrealized capital gains on investments or certain foreign currency transactions. Foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the fund and are reflected in the Statement of Operations, if applicable. Foreign taxes payable or deferred or those subject to reclaims as of April 30, 2024, if any, are disclosed in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(c) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income, including, where applicable, accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is recognized on the accrual basis.
Pursuant to a securities lending agreement with BNY Mellon, the fund may lend securities to qualified institutions. It is the fund’s policy that, at origination, all loans are secured by collateral of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned and 105% of the value of foreign securities loaned. Collateral equivalent to at least 100% of the market value of securities on loan is maintained at all times. Collateral is either in the form of cash, which can be invested in certain money market mutual funds managed by the Adviser, or U.S. Government and Agency securities. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold or re-pledged by the fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in the fund’s Statement of Investments. The fund is entitled to receive all dividends, interest and distributions on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Should a
37
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner, BNY Mellon is required to replace the securities for the benefit of the fund or credit the fund with the market value of the unreturned securities and is subrogated to the fund’s rights against the borrower and the collateral. Additionally, the contractual maturity of security lending transactions are on an overnight and continuous basis. During the period ended April 30, 2024, BNY Mellon earned $233 from the lending of the fund’s portfolio securities, pursuant to the securities lending agreement.
For financial reporting purposes, the fund elects not to offset assets and liabilities subject to a securities lending agreement, if any, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Therefore, all qualifying transactions are presented on a gross basis in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As of April 30, 2024, the fund had securities lending and the impact of netting of assets and liabilities and the offsetting of collateral pledged or received, if any, based on contractual netting/set-off provisions in the securities lending agreement are detailed in the following table:
| | | | | | |
| | | Assets ($) | | Liabilities ($) | |
Securities Lending | | 2,078,205 | | - | |
Total gross amount of assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | 2,078,205 | | - | |
Collateral (received)/posted not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | (2,078,205) | 1 | - | |
Net amount | | - | | - | |
1 | The value of the related collateral received by the fund normally exceeded the value of the securities loaned by the fund pursuant to the securities lending agreement. In addition, the value of collateral may include pending sales that are also on loan. See Statement of Investments for detailed information regarding collateral received for open securities lending. |
(d) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by the Adviser are considered “affiliated” under the Act.
(e) Market Risk: The value of the securities in which the fund invests may be affected by political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed-income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the fund. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies world-wide.
38
Foreign Investment Risk: To the extent the fund invests in foreign securities, the fund’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign issuers. Special risks associated with investments in foreign issuers include exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political and economic instability and differing auditing and legal standards.
Indexing Strategy Risk: The fund uses an indexing strategy. It does not attempt to manage market volatility, use defensive strategies or reduce the effects of any long-term periods of poor index performance. The correlation between fund and index performance may be affected by the fund’s expenses and/or use of sampling techniques, changes in securities markets, changes in the composition of the index and the timing of purchases and redemptions of fund shares.
(f) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income and dividends from net realized capital gains, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To the extent that net realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryovers, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gains. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(g) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of taxable income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.
As of and during the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
Each tax year in the three-year period ended October 31, 2023 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.
39
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
The fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Furthermore, capital loss carryovers retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses.
The fund has an unused capital loss carryover of $23,584,892 available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net realized capital gains, if any, realized subsequent to October 31, 2023. The fund has $2,400,129 of short-term capital losses and $21,184,763 of long-term capital losses which can be carried forward for an unlimited period.
The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 was as follows: ordinary income $8,600,371. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:
The fund participates with other long-term open-end funds managed by the Adviser in a $738 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. (the “Citibank Credit Facility”) and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by BNY Mellon (the “BNYM Credit Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions (each, a “Facility”). The Citibank Credit Facility is available in two tranches: (i) Tranche A is in an amount equal to $618 million and is available to all long-term open-ended funds, including the fund, and (ii) Tranche B is an amount equal to $120 million and is available only to BNY Mellon Floating Rate Income Fund, a series of BNY Mellon Investment Funds IV, Inc. In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay its pro rata portion of commitment fees for Tranche A of the Citibank Credit Facility and the BNYM Credit Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on rates determined pursuant to the terms of the respective Facility at the time of borrowing.
During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund was charged $1,052 for interest expense. These fees are included in Interest expense in the Statement of Operations. The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the Facilities during the period ended April 30, 2024 was approximately $32,967 with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of 6.41%.
NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .35% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The fund’s Adviser
40
has agreed in its management agreement with the fund to: (1) pay all of the fund’s direct expenses, except management fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees and certain other expenses, including the fees and expenses of the non-interested board members and the fees and expenses of counsel to the fund and to the non-interested board members, and (2) reduce its fee pursuant to the management agreement in an amount equal to the fund’s allocable portion of the fees and expenses of the non-interested board members and the fees and expenses of counsel to the fund and to the non-interested board members. These provisions in the management agreement may not be amended without the approval of the fund’s shareholders. During the period ended April 30, 2024, fees reimbursed by the Adviser amounted to $14,525.
(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Investor shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of its average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund was charged $281,618 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
The fund has an arrangement with The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund will receive interest income or be charged overdraft fees when cash balances are maintained. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes this interest income and overdraft fees, if any, as interest income in the Statement of Operations.
The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fee of $94,725 and Shareholder Services Plan fees of $47,243, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $11,635.
(c) Each board member of the fund also serves as a board member of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and meeting attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and futures, during the period ended April 30, 2024, amounted to $4,561,586 and $26,482,739, respectively.
Derivatives: A derivative is a financial instrument whose performance is derived from the performance of another asset. Rule 18f-4 under the Act regulates the use of derivatives transactions for certain funds registered under the Act. The fund is deemed a “limited” derivatives user under the rule and is required to limit its derivatives exposure so that the total notional value of applicable derivatives does not exceed 10% of fund’s net assets, and is subject to certain reporting requirements. Each type of derivative instrument that was held by the fund during the period ended April 30, 2024 is discussed below.
Futures: In the normal course of pursuing its investment objective, the fund is exposed to market risk, including equity price risk, as a result of changes in value of underlying financial instruments. The fund invests in futures in order to manage its exposure to or protect against changes in the market. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or a sale of an asset at a specified date. Upon entering into such contracts, these investments require initial margin deposits with a counterparty, which consist of cash or cash equivalents. The amount of these deposits is determined by the exchange or Board of Trade on which the contract is traded and is subject to change. Accordingly, variation margin payments are received or made to reflect daily unrealized gains or losses which are recorded in the Statement of Operations. When the contracts are closed, the fund recognizes a realized gain or loss which is reflected in the Statement of Operations. There is minimal counterparty credit risk to the fund with futures since they are exchange traded, and the exchange guarantees the futures against default. Futures open at April 30, 2024 are set forth in the Statement of Investments.
The following tables show the fund’s exposure to different types of market risk as it relates to the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Statement of Operations, respectively.
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| | | | | | | |
Fair value of derivative instruments as of April 30, 2024 is shown below: |
| | | | | | |
| | Derivative Assets ($) | | | Derivative Liabilities ($) | |
Equity risk | - | | Equity risk | (167,894) | 1 |
Gross fair value of derivative contracts | - | | | | (167,894) | |
| | | | | | |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: | |
1 | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures as reported in the Statement of Investments, but only the unpaid variation margin is reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The effect of derivative instruments in the Statement of Operations during the period ended April 30, 2024 is shown below:
| | | | | |
Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income ($) | |
Underlying risk | Futures | 1 | Total | |
Equity | 427,820 | | 427,820 | |
Total | 427,820 | | 427,820 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in income ($) | |
Underlying risk | Futures | 2 | Total | |
Equity | (127,642) | | (127,642) | |
Total | (127,642) | | (127,642) | |
| | | | | |
| Statement of Operations location: | |
1 | Net realized gain (loss) on futures. |
2 | Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures. |
The following table summarizes the monthy average market value of derivatives outstanding during the period ended April 30, 2024:
| | |
| | Average Market Value ($) |
Futures: | | |
Equity Futures Long | | 4,698,377 |
At April 30, 2024, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments inclusive of derivative contracts was $150,477,123, consisting of $160,754,104 gross unrealized appreciation and $10,276,981 gross unrealized depreciation.
At April 30, 2024, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
43
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited)
At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) held on March 5-6, 2024, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement pursuant to which the Adviser provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”). The Board members, none of whom are “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from representatives of the Adviser. In considering the renewal of the Agreement, the Board considered several factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below. The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.
Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to it at the meeting and in previous presentations from representatives of the Adviser regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, including the fund. The Adviser provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. The Adviser also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or the Adviser) and the Adviser’s corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.
The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that the Adviser also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered the Adviser’s extensive administrative, accounting and compliance infrastructures.
Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data based on classifications provided by Thomson Reuters Lipper (“Lipper”), which included information comparing (1) the performance of the fund’s Investor Class shares with the performance of a group of institutional international large-cap core funds selected by Broadridge as comparable to the fund (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds consisting of all retail and institutional international large-cap core funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended December 31, 2023, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of the same group of funds in the Performance Group (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of all institutional international large-cap core funds, excluding outliers
44
(the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Broadridge as of the date of its analysis. The Adviser previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.
Performance Comparisons. Representatives of the Adviser stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations and policies that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds and the end date selected. The Board also considered the fund’s performance in light of overall financial market conditions. The Board discussed with representatives of the Adviser the results of the comparisons and considered that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group median for all periods and was above the Performance Universe median for all periods except for the four- and five-year periods when the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Universe median. It was noted that there were only three other funds in the Performance Group. The Adviser also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s benchmark index.
Management Fee and Expense Ratio Comparisons. The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee rate payable by the fund to the Adviser in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management services provided by the Adviser. In addition, the Board reviewed and considered the actual management fee rate paid by the fund over the fund’s last fiscal year, which included reductions for a fee waiver arrangement in place that reduced the management fee paid to the Adviser. The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses as a percentage of average net assets of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.
The Board noted that the Adviser pays all fund expenses, other than the actual management fee and certain other expenses. Because of the fund’s “unitary” fee structure, the Board recognized that the fund’s fees and expenses will vary within a much smaller range and the Adviser will bear the risk that fund expenses may increase over time. On the other hand, the Board noted that it is possible that the Adviser could earn a profit on the fees charged under the Agreement and would benefit from any price decreases in third-party services covered by the Agreement. Taking into account the fund’s “unitary” fee structure, the Board considered that the fund’s contractual management fee was higher than the Expense Group median contractual management fee, the fund’s actual management fee was higher than the Expense Group median and higher than the Expense Universe median actual management fee, and the fund’s total expenses were higher than the Expense Group median and higher than the Expense Universe median total expenses.
Representatives of the Adviser noted that there were no other funds advised by the Adviser that are in the same Lipper category as the fund or separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios advised by the Adviser or the primary employer of the
45
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued)
fund’s primary portfolio managers that is affiliated with the Adviser that are considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund.
Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Representatives of the Adviser reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by the Adviser and its affiliates and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to the Adviser and its affiliates for managing the funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not excessive, given the services rendered and service levels provided by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the fee waiver arrangement and its effect on the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding the Adviser’s approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire BNY Mellon fund complex. The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.
The Board considered, on the advice of its counsel, the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fee under the Agreement, considered in relation to the mix of services provided by the Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, supported the renewal of the Agreement and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Representatives of the Adviser stated that a discussion of economies of scale is predicated on a fund having achieved a substantial size with increasing assets and that, if a fund’s assets had been stable or decreasing, the possibility that the Adviser may have realized any economies of scale would be less. Representatives of the Adviser also stated that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to the Adviser from acting as investment adviser and took into consideration that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.
At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Agreement. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.
· The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser are adequate and appropriate.
· The Board was generally satisfied with the fund’s performance.
46
· The Board concluded that the fee paid to the Adviser continued to be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the factors and the totality of the services provided as discussed above.
· The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by the Adviser in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.
In evaluating the Agreement, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with the Adviser and its affiliates, of the Adviser and the services provided to the fund by the Adviser. The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreement, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for the fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of the Agreement for the fund, or substantially similar agreements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and representatives of the Adviser. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on its consideration of the fund’s arrangements, or substantially similar arrangements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, in prior years. The Board determined to renew the Agreement.
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BNY Mellon International Stock Index Fund
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Adviser
BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent
BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Distributor
BNY Mellon Securities Corporation
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
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Ticker Symbols: | Investor: DIISX Class I: DINIX |
Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-373-9387
Mail The BNY Mellon Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
E-mail Send your request to info@bnymellon.com
Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.im.bnymellon.com
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the fund voted these proxies for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.im.bnymellon.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-373-9387.
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© 2024 BNY Mellon Securities Corporation 0079SA0424 | |
BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund
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SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT April 30, 2024 |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE – UPCOMING CHANGES TO ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted rule and form amendments that will result in changes to the design and delivery of annual and semi-annual fund reports (“Reports”). Beginning in July 2024, Reports will be streamlined to highlight key information. Certain information currently included in Reports, including financial statements, will no longer appear in the Reports but will be available online, delivered free of charge to shareholders upon request, and filed with the SEC. If you previously elected to receive the fund’s Reports electronically, you will continue to do so. Otherwise, you will receive paper copies of the fund’s re-designed Reports by USPS mail in the future. If you would like to receive the fund’s Reports (and/or other communications) electronically instead of by mail, please contact your financial advisor or, if you are a direct investor, please log into your mutual fund account at www.bnymellonim.com/us and select “E-Delivery” under the Profile page. You must be registered for online account access before you can enroll in E-Delivery. |
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Save time. Save paper. View your next shareholder report online as soon as it’s available. Log into www.im.bnymellon.com and sign up for eCommunications. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes. |
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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. or any other person in the BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. |
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Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value |
Contents
T H E F U N D
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
Back Cover
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)
For the period from November 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, as provided by David France, CFA, Todd Frysinger, CFA, Vlasta Sheremeta, CFA, Michael Stoll and Marlene Walker Smith, portfolio managers
Market and Fund Performance Overview
For the six-month period ended April 30, 2024, the BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund (the “fund”) produced a total return of 20.70%.1 In comparison, the S&P 500® Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark, returned 20.97% for the same period.2
U.S. equities gained ground during the reporting period as inflationary pressures eased, interest rates plateaued and economic growth remained positive. The difference in returns between the fund and the Index resulted primarily from transaction costs and operating expenses that are not reflected in Index results.
The Fund’s Investment Approach
The fund seeks to match the performance of the Index. To pursue its goal, the fund generally is fully invested in stocks included in the Index and in futures whose performance is tied to the Index. The fund generally invests in the Index in proportion to their weighting in the Index.
Because the fund has expenses, performance will tend to be slightly lower than that of the Index. The fund attempts to have a correlation between its performance and that of the Index of at least 0.95, before fees and expenses. A correlation of 1.00 would mean that the fund and the Index were perfectly correlated.
The Index is an unmanaged index of the common stocks of 500 companies, chosen to reflect the industries of the U.S. economy, and is often considered a proxy for the stock market in general. S&P weights each company’s stock in the Index by its market capitalization (i.e., the share price times the number of shares outstanding), adjusted by the number of available float shares (i.e., those shares available to public investors). Companies included in the Index generally must have market capitalizations in excess of $15.8 billion, to the extent consistent with market conditions.
Economic Growth Drives Equity Gains
Large-cap U.S. equities gained ground during the reporting period as the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) left the federal funds rate unchanged and forecast the possibility of rate cuts sometime in 2024. Inflation proved sticky, remaining in a range of 3.1%−3.5% throughout the period despite the highest interest rates in decades. Nevertheless, economic growth remained relatively strong, bolstered by robust consumer spending, high employment levels and healthy corporate profits. Investors appeared to accept the prospect of rates remaining higher for longer, bidding large-cap share prices to new records. At the same time, market strength broadened beyond the narrow group of artificial intelligence (“AI”)-related mega-cap names that drove most of the market’s gains early in the period. Although growth stocks continued to outperform their value-oriented counterparts for the reporting period as a whole, the margin between the two investment styles diminished significantly, with all industry sectors delivering positive returns.
Growth-Oriented Technology and Media Shares Outperform
Communication services stocks produced the strongest returns in the Index, led by fast-growing, technology-centric social media companies and content providers, such as Meta Platforms, Inc., The Walt Disney Company and Netflix, Inc. The financial sector benefited from high but steady interest rates, robust capital markets activity and a stable regulatory environment, led by gains in shares of American Express Co., Citigroup, Inc. and Synchrony Financial. Information
2
technology outperformed as well, with top performers including advanced AI chip maker NVIDIA Corp., as well as computer memory and storage device makers Western Digital Corp. and Micron Technology, Inc., both of which appeared well positioned to benefit from Chips and Science Act funding.
Conversely, the interest-rate-sensitive real estate sector was pressured by high rates and fears of an economic slowdown, while companies such as SBA Communications Corp., American Tower Corp. and Equinix, Inc. also faced competitive challenges that drove shares lower. The energy sector lagged due to weak oil and gas prices, undermining returns from companies such as APA Corp., Schlumberger NV and EQT Corp. Finally, in health care, high interest rates undermined the appeal of high-yielding stocks, while waning demand for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments led to share price contractions for some companies. Notably weak performers included Humana, Inc., Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc.
The fund’s use of derivatives during the period was limited to futures contracts employed solely to offset the impact of cash positions, which the fund holds pursuant to its operations, but the Index does not. Such holdings helped the fund more closely match the performance of the Index.
Replicating the Performance of the Index
As of April 30, 2024, the U.S. economy remains robust. While persistent inflation has delayed the prospect of interest rate cuts until later this year, if not beyond, markets appear to have readjusted to the prevailing, higher-for-longer environment. The impact of the strong U.S. dollar on exports remains a concern. However, in the absence of unexpected economic shocks, we expect market volatility to decrease and inflation to gradually ease, potentially setting the stage for additional market gains.
However developments unfold, in seeking to match the performance of the Index, we do not actively manage investments in response to macroeconomic trends. As always, we continue to monitor factors that affect the fund’s investments.
May 15, 2024
¹ Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. The fund’s return reflects the absorption of certain fund expenses by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. pursuant to an agreement. Had these expenses not been absorbed, returns would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost.
² Source: Lipper Inc. — The S&P 500® Index is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. The Index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.
“Standard & Poor’s®,” “S&P®,” “Standard & Poor’s® 500,” and “S&P 500®” are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and have been licensed for use on behalf of the fund. The fund is not sponsored, managed, advised, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s and its affiliates, and Standard & Poor’s and its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the fund.
Equities are subject generally to market, market sector, market liquidity, issuer and investment style risks, among other factors, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus.
The fund may, but is not required, to use derivative instruments. A small investment in derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund’s performance. The use of derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying assets.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES (Unaudited)
As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees and other expenses. Using the information below, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You also may pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial adviser.
Review your fund’s expenses
The table below shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund from November 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.
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Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | |
Assume actual returns for the six months ended April 30, 2024 | |
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Expenses paid per $1,000† | $2.74 | |
Ending value (after expenses) | $1,207.00 | |
COMPARING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES WITH THOSE OF OTHER FUNDS (Unaudited)
Using the SEC’s method to compare expenses
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the table below shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total cost) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.
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Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | |
Assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return for the six months ended April 30, 2024 | |
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Expenses paid per $1,000† | $2.51 | |
Ending value (after expenses) | $1,022.38 | |
† | Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .50%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
4
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% | | | | | |
Automobiles & Components - 1.5% | | | | | |
Aptiv PLC | | | | 14,909 | a | 1,058,539 | |
BorgWarner, Inc. | | | | 12,023 | | 393,994 | |
Ford Motor Co. | | | | 202,255 | | 2,457,398 | |
General Motors Co. | | | | 60,600 | | 2,698,518 | |
Tesla, Inc. | | | | 144,056 | a | 26,402,584 | |
| | | | 33,011,033 | |
Banks - 3.3% | | | | | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | | 357,957 | | 13,247,989 | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | | 98,945 | | 6,068,297 | |
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 24,319 | | 829,521 | |
Comerica, Inc. | | | | 7,214 | | 361,926 | |
Fifth Third Bancorp | | | | 35,725 | | 1,302,533 | |
Huntington Bancshares, Inc. | | | | 77,414 | | 1,042,767 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | | 150,307 | | 28,819,864 | |
KeyCorp | | | | 50,166 | | 726,905 | |
M&T Bank Corp. | | | | 8,724 | | 1,259,658 | |
Regions Financial Corp. | | | | 46,362 | | 893,396 | |
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | | | | 20,561 | | 3,151,179 | |
Truist Financial Corp. | | | | 70,294 | | 2,639,540 | |
U.S. Bancorp | | | | 80,483 | | 3,270,024 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | | 187,109 | | 11,099,306 | |
| | | | 74,712,905 | |
Capital Goods - 5.8% | | | | | |
3M Co. | | | | 29,111 | | 2,809,503 | |
A.O. Smith Corp. | | | | 6,219 | | 515,182 | |
Allegion PLC | | | | 4,530 | | 550,667 | |
AMETEK, Inc. | | | | 11,894 | | 2,077,406 | |
Axon Enterprise, Inc. | | | | 3,689 | a | 1,157,092 | |
Builders FirstSource, Inc. | | | | 6,275 | a | 1,147,195 | |
Carrier Global Corp. | | | | 42,993 | | 2,643,640 | |
Caterpillar, Inc. | | | | 26,468 | | 8,855,399 | |
Cummins, Inc. | | | | 7,086 | | 2,001,724 | |
Deere & Co. | | | | 13,538 | | 5,298,909 | |
Dover Corp. | | | | 7,356 | | 1,318,931 | |
Eaton Corp. PLC | | | | 20,760 | | 6,607,078 | |
Emerson Electric Co. | | | | 30,048 | | 3,238,573 | |
Fastenal Co. | | | | 29,392 | | 1,996,892 | |
Fortive Corp. | | | | 17,909 | | 1,348,010 | |
GE Vernova, Inc. | | | | 14,341 | a | 2,204,355 | |
Generac Holdings, Inc. | | | | 3,350 | a | 455,466 | |
General Dynamics Corp. | | | | 11,938 | | 3,427,280 | |
5
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Capital Goods - 5.8% (continued) | | | | | |
General Electric Co. | | | | 56,584 | | 9,156,423 | |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | | | 34,275 | | 6,605,821 | |
Howmet Aerospace, Inc. | | | | 19,926 | | 1,330,060 | |
Hubbell, Inc. | | | | 2,699 | | 1,000,033 | |
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. | | | | 2,095 | | 580,168 | |
IDEX Corp. | | | | 3,798 | | 837,307 | |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | | | 14,171 | | 3,459,283 | |
Ingersoll Rand, Inc. | | | | 21,193 | | 1,977,731 | |
Johnson Controls International PLC | | | | 35,117 | | 2,285,063 | |
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. | | | | 9,990 | | 2,138,359 | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | | | | 11,141 | | 5,179,785 | |
Masco Corp. | | | | 10,918 | | 747,337 | |
Nordson Corp. | | | | 2,806 | | 724,481 | |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | | | 7,321 | | 3,550,905 | |
Otis Worldwide Corp. | | | | 20,758 | | 1,893,130 | |
PACCAR, Inc. | | | | 27,570 | | 2,925,453 | |
Parker-Hannifin Corp. | | | | 6,649 | | 3,623,107 | |
Pentair PLC | | | | 8,928 | | 706,116 | |
Quanta Services, Inc. | | | | 7,550 | | 1,952,128 | |
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | | | | 5,883 | | 1,594,058 | |
RTX Corp. | | | | 68,983 | | 7,003,154 | |
Snap-on, Inc. | | | | 2,778 | | 744,393 | |
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | | 7,951 | | 726,721 | |
Textron, Inc. | | | | 9,857 | | 833,804 | |
The Boeing Company | | | | 29,818 | a | 5,004,653 | |
Trane Technologies PLC | | | | 11,977 | | 3,800,781 | |
TransDigm Group, Inc. | | | | 2,915 | a | 3,638,007 | |
United Rentals, Inc. | | | | 3,476 | | 2,321,933 | |
W.W. Grainger, Inc. | | | | 2,288 | | 2,108,049 | |
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | | | | 9,366 | | 1,508,675 | |
Xylem, Inc. | | | | 12,655 | | 1,654,008 | |
| | | | 129,264,228 | |
Commercial & Professional Services - 1.2% | | | | | |
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | | | | 21,358 | | 5,166,287 | |
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | | | | 6,176 | | 1,194,500 | |
Cintas Corp. | | | | 4,462 | | 2,937,513 | |
Copart, Inc. | | | | 46,054 | a | 2,501,193 | |
Dayforce, Inc. | | | | 7,987 | a,b | 490,162 | |
Equifax, Inc. | | | | 6,299 | | 1,386,977 | |
Jacobs Solutions, Inc. | | | | 6,214 | | 891,895 | |
Leidos Holdings, Inc. | | | | 7,294 | | 1,022,765 | |
Paychex, Inc. | | | | 16,469 | | 1,956,682 | |
6
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Commercial & Professional Services - 1.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Paycom Software, Inc. | | | | 2,579 | | 484,800 | |
Republic Services, Inc. | | | | 10,711 | | 2,053,299 | |
Robert Half, Inc. | | | | 5,529 | | 382,275 | |
Rollins, Inc. | | | | 15,043 | | 670,316 | |
Veralto Corp. | | | | 11,432 | | 1,070,950 | |
Verisk Analytics, Inc. | | | | 7,644 | | 1,666,086 | |
Waste Management, Inc. | | | | 19,056 | | 3,964,029 | |
| | | | 27,839,729 | |
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail - 5.8% | | | | | |
Amazon.com, Inc. | | | | 475,246 | a | 83,168,050 | |
AutoZone, Inc. | | | | 907 | a | 2,681,455 | |
Bath & Body Works, Inc. | | | | 12,492 | | 567,387 | |
Best Buy Co., Inc. | | | | 9,601 | | 707,018 | |
CarMax, Inc. | | | | 8,190 | a | 556,674 | |
eBay, Inc. | | | | 26,957 | | 1,389,364 | |
Etsy, Inc. | | | | 6,277 | a | 431,042 | |
Genuine Parts Co. | | | | 7,289 | | 1,145,904 | |
LKQ Corp. | | | | 13,789 | | 594,720 | |
Lowe's Cos., Inc. | | | | 29,901 | | 6,817,129 | |
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. | | | | 3,057 | a | 3,097,536 | |
Pool Corp. | | | | 2,035 | | 737,749 | |
Ross Stores, Inc. | | | | 17,366 | | 2,249,765 | |
The Home Depot, Inc. | | | | 51,745 | | 17,294,214 | |
The TJX Companies, Inc. | | | | 59,253 | | 5,575,115 | |
Tractor Supply Co. | | | | 5,457 | | 1,490,198 | |
Ulta Beauty, Inc. | | | | 2,483 | a | 1,005,218 | |
| | | | 129,508,538 | |
Consumer Durables & Apparel - .8% | | | | | |
D.R. Horton, Inc. | | | | 15,408 | | 2,195,486 | |
Deckers Outdoor Corp. | | | | 1,357 | a | 1,110,664 | |
Garmin Ltd. | | | | 7,916 | | 1,143,625 | |
Hasbro, Inc. | | | | 6,846 | | 419,660 | |
Lennar Corp., Cl. A | | | | 12,701 | | 1,925,726 | |
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. | | | | 5,956 | a | 2,147,734 | |
Mohawk Industries, Inc. | | | | 2,527 | a | 291,414 | |
NIKE, Inc., Cl. B | | | | 63,285 | | 5,838,674 | |
NVR, Inc. | | | | 164 | a | 1,219,971 | |
PulteGroup, Inc. | | | | 10,926 | | 1,217,375 | |
Ralph Lauren Corp. | | | | 1,965 | | 321,553 | |
Tapestry, Inc. | | | | 12,280 | | 490,218 | |
| | | | 18,322,100 | |
Consumer Services - 2.0% | | | | | |
Airbnb, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 22,594 | a | 3,582,731 | |
7
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Consumer Services - 2.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Booking Holdings, Inc. | | | | 1,814 | | 6,261,982 | |
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. | | | | 11,719 | a | 419,775 | |
Carnival Corp. | | | | 51,973 | a | 770,240 | |
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. | | | | 1,423 | a | 4,496,111 | |
Darden Restaurants, Inc. | | | | 6,028 | | 924,755 | |
Domino's Pizza, Inc. | | | | 1,751 | | 926,752 | |
Expedia Group, Inc. | | | | 6,648 | a | 895,020 | |
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | | | | 13,110 | | 2,586,341 | |
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | | | | 19,820 | | 879,215 | |
Marriott International, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 13,003 | | 3,070,398 | |
McDonald's Corp. | | | | 37,711 | | 10,296,611 | |
MGM Resorts International | | | | 14,642 | a | 577,480 | |
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. | | | | 21,182 | a,b | 400,763 | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | | | | 12,508 | a | 1,746,492 | |
Starbucks Corp. | | | | 59,486 | | 5,263,916 | |
Wynn Resorts Ltd. | | | | 4,912 | | 450,185 | |
Yum! Brands, Inc. | | | | 14,833 | | 2,095,161 | |
| | | | 45,643,928 | |
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail - 1.8% | | | | | |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | | 23,070 | | 16,677,303 | |
Dollar General Corp. | | | | 11,421 | | 1,589,689 | |
Dollar Tree, Inc. | | | | 10,637 | a | 1,257,825 | |
Sysco Corp. | | | | 25,652 | | 1,906,457 | |
Target Corp. | | | | 23,941 | | 3,854,022 | |
The Kroger Company | | | | 34,023 | | 1,884,194 | |
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. | | | | 37,076 | | 657,357 | |
Walmart, Inc. | | | | 222,556 | | 13,208,699 | |
| | | | 41,035,546 | |
Energy - 4.0% | | | | | |
APA Corp. | | | | 15,539 | | 488,546 | |
Baker Hughes Co. | | | | 51,024 | | 1,664,403 | |
Chevron Corp. | | | | 90,176 | | 14,542,683 | |
ConocoPhillips | | | | 61,251 | | 7,694,351 | |
Coterra Energy, Inc. | | | | 40,303 | | 1,102,690 | |
Devon Energy Corp. | | | | 33,335 | | 1,706,085 | |
Diamondback Energy, Inc. | | | | 9,434 | | 1,897,460 | |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | | | 30,226 | | 3,993,761 | |
EQT Corp. | | | | 22,040 | | 883,584 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | | 206,457 | | 24,417,669 | |
Halliburton Co. | | | | 45,984 | | 1,723,020 | |
Hess Corp. | | | | 14,133 | | 2,225,806 | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | | | | 99,203 | | 1,813,431 | |
Marathon Oil Corp. | | | | 30,689 | | 824,000 | |
8
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Energy - 4.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | | | | 19,243 | | 3,496,838 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | | 34,565 | | 2,286,129 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | | | 30,594 | | 2,420,597 | |
Phillips 66 | | | | 22,574 | | 3,232,823 | |
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. | | | | 12,297 | | 3,311,828 | |
Schlumberger NV | | | | 74,047 | | 3,515,752 | |
Targa Resources Corp. | | | | 11,593 | | 1,322,298 | |
The Williams Companies, Inc. | | | | 62,666 | | 2,403,868 | |
Valero Energy Corp. | | | | 17,923 | | 2,865,350 | |
| | | | 89,832,972 | |
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts - 2.0% | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | | | 8,418 | c | 975,394 | |
American Tower Corp. | | | | 24,215 | c | 4,154,325 | |
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | | | | 7,532 | c | 1,427,841 | |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | | | 7,336 | c | 454,025 | |
Camden Property Trust | | | | 5,736 | c | 571,764 | |
Crown Castle, Inc. | | | | 22,207 | c | 2,082,572 | |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | 15,938 | c | 2,211,876 | |
Equinix, Inc. | | | | 4,861 | c | 3,456,706 | |
Equity Residential | | | | 18,066 | c | 1,163,450 | |
Essex Property Trust, Inc. | | | | 3,194 | c | 786,522 | |
Extra Space Storage, Inc. | | | | 10,738 | c | 1,441,899 | |
Federal Realty Investment Trust | | | | 3,781 | c | 393,867 | |
Healthpeak Properties, Inc. | | | | 37,069 | c | 689,854 | |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | | 37,310 | c | 704,040 | |
Invitation Homes, Inc. | | | | 29,990 | c | 1,025,658 | |
Iron Mountain, Inc. | | | | 15,275 | c | 1,184,118 | |
Kimco Realty Corp. | | | | 33,044 | c | 615,610 | |
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | | | | 6,278 | c | 816,140 | |
Prologis, Inc. | | | | 48,038 | c | 4,902,278 | |
Public Storage | | | | 8,169 | c | 2,119,447 | |
Realty Income Corp. | | | | 43,238 | c | 2,314,962 | |
Regency Centers Corp. | | | | 8,736 | c | 517,346 | |
SBA Communications Corp. | | | | 5,686 | c | 1,058,278 | |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | | | 16,739 | c | 2,352,332 | |
UDR, Inc. | | | | 15,572 | c | 592,982 | |
Ventas, Inc. | | | | 20,965 | c | 928,330 | |
VICI Properties, Inc. | | | | 54,198 | c | 1,547,353 | |
Welltower, Inc. | | | | 28,680 | c | 2,732,630 | |
Weyerhaeuser Co. | | | | 38,315 | c | 1,155,964 | |
| | | | 44,377,563 | |
9
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Financial Services - 7.4% | | | | | |
American Express Co. | | | | 29,732 | | 6,958,180 | |
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. | | | | 5,152 | | 2,121,542 | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Cl. B | | | | 94,595 | a | 37,528,674 | |
BlackRock, Inc. | | | | 7,270 | | 5,486,233 | |
Blackstone, Inc. | | | | 37,400 | | 4,361,214 | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | | 19,597 | | 2,810,798 | |
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. | | | | 5,654 | | 1,024,222 | |
CME Group, Inc. | | | | 18,652 | | 3,910,205 | |
Corpay, Inc. | | | | 3,653 | a | 1,103,717 | |
Discover Financial Services | | | | 13,087 | | 1,658,515 | |
FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | | | | 1,982 | | 826,276 | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. | | | | 31,125 | | 2,114,010 | |
Fiserv, Inc. | | | | 31,201 | a | 4,763,457 | |
Franklin Resources, Inc. | | | | 15,253 | | 348,379 | |
Global Payments, Inc. | | | | 13,629 | | 1,673,232 | |
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. | | | | 29,671 | | 3,820,438 | |
Invesco Ltd. | | | | 24,786 | | 351,218 | |
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. | | | | 3,939 | | 640,836 | |
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. | | | | 1,768 | | 353,759 | |
Mastercard, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 42,894 | | 19,353,773 | |
Moody's Corp. | | | | 8,121 | | 3,007,450 | |
Morgan Stanley | | | | 65,098 | | 5,913,502 | |
MSCI, Inc. | | | | 4,153 | | 1,934,426 | |
Nasdaq, Inc. | | | | 18,709 | | 1,119,734 | |
Northern Trust Corp. | | | | 10,279 | | 846,887 | |
PayPal Holdings, Inc. | | | | 55,694 | a | 3,782,736 | |
Raymond James Financial, Inc. | | | | 9,543 | | 1,164,246 | |
S&P Global, Inc. | | | | 16,705 | | 6,946,440 | |
State Street Corp. | | | | 16,136 | | 1,169,699 | |
Synchrony Financial | | | | 20,423 | | 898,204 | |
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | | | | 11,778 | | 1,290,515 | |
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | | | 39,352 | | 2,222,994 | |
The Charles Schwab Corp. | | | | 77,374 | | 5,721,807 | |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | | 16,955 | | 7,234,868 | |
Visa, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 82,229 | b | 22,087,532 | |
| | | | 166,549,718 | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco - 2.8% | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | | | 91,601 | | 4,013,040 | |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | | | 27,851 | | 1,633,740 | |
Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. B | | | | 9,359 | | 447,828 | |
Bunge Global SA | | | | 7,785 | | 792,202 | |
Campbell Soup Co. | | | | 10,221 | | 467,202 | |
10
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco - 2.8% (continued) | | | | | |
Conagra Brands, Inc. | | | | 25,950 | | 798,741 | |
Constellation Brands, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 8,227 | | 2,085,215 | |
General Mills, Inc. | | | | 29,602 | | 2,085,757 | |
Hormel Foods Corp. | | | | 15,685 | | 557,759 | |
Kellanova | | | | 13,905 | | 804,543 | |
Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc. | | | | 54,855 | | 1,848,613 | |
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | | | | 7,500 | | 625,050 | |
McCormick & Co., Inc. | | | | 13,464 | | 1,024,072 | |
Molson Coors Beverage Co., Cl. B | | | | 9,652 | | 552,674 | |
Mondelez International, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 70,005 | | 5,036,160 | |
Monster Beverage Corp. | | | | 38,935 | a | 2,081,076 | |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | | 71,458 | | 12,570,177 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | | 80,714 | | 7,662,987 | |
The Coca-Cola Company | | | | 202,302 | | 12,496,195 | |
The Hershey Company | | | | 7,957 | | 1,543,021 | |
The J.M. Smucker Company | | | | 5,515 | | 633,398 | |
The Kraft Heinz Company | | | | 42,021 | | 1,622,431 | |
Tyson Foods, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 15,377 | | 932,615 | |
| | | | 62,314,496 | |
Health Care Equipment & Services - 5.1% | | | | | |
Abbott Laboratories | | | | 90,260 | | 9,564,852 | |
Align Technology, Inc. | | | | 3,724 | a | 1,051,583 | |
Baxter International, Inc. | | | | 25,608 | | 1,033,795 | |
Becton, Dickinson and Co. | | | | 15,011 | | 3,521,581 | |
Boston Scientific Corp. | | | | 76,166 | a | 5,474,050 | |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | | | | 12,591 | | 1,297,377 | |
Cencora, Inc. | | | | 8,553 | | 2,044,595 | |
Centene Corp. | | | | 28,156 | a | 2,057,077 | |
CVS Health Corp. | | | | 65,411 | | 4,428,979 | |
DaVita, Inc. | | | | 2,886 | a | 401,183 | |
DexCom, Inc. | | | | 19,858 | a | 2,529,711 | |
Edwards Lifesciences Corp. | | | | 31,234 | a | 2,644,583 | |
Elevance Health, Inc. | | | | 12,216 | | 6,457,133 | |
GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc. | | | | 21,483 | | 1,637,864 | |
HCA Healthcare, Inc. | | | | 10,234 | | 3,170,698 | |
Henry Schein, Inc. | | | | 6,897 | a | 477,824 | |
Hologic, Inc. | | | | 11,943 | a | 904,921 | |
Humana, Inc. | | | | 6,240 | | 1,885,042 | |
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. | | | | 4,377 | a | 2,156,810 | |
Insulet Corp. | | | | 3,621 | a | 622,595 | |
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. | | | | 18,318 | a | 6,789,017 | |
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings | | | | 4,238 | | 853,406 | |
McKesson Corp. | | | | 6,832 | | 3,670,219 | |
11
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Health Care Equipment & Services - 5.1% (continued) | | | | | |
Medtronic PLC | | | | 69,130 | | 5,546,991 | |
Molina Healthcare, Inc. | | | | 3,051 | a | 1,043,747 | |
Quest Diagnostics, Inc. | | | | 5,826 | | 805,037 | |
ResMed, Inc. | | | | 7,787 | | 1,666,340 | |
Solventum Corp. | | | | 7,277 | a | 473,078 | |
Steris PLC | | | | 5,154 | | 1,054,302 | |
Stryker Corp. | | | | 17,581 | | 5,916,006 | |
Teleflex, Inc. | | | | 2,513 | | 524,589 | |
The Cigna Group | | | | 15,208 | | 5,429,864 | |
The Cooper Companies, Inc. | | | | 10,220 | | 910,193 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | | 48,088 | | 23,260,166 | |
Universal Health Services, Inc., Cl. B | | | | 3,116 | | 531,060 | |
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. | | | | 10,877 | | 1,308,286 | |
| | | | 113,144,554 | |
Household & Personal Products - 1.4% | | | | | |
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. | | | | 12,494 | | 1,347,978 | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | | | 42,623 | | 3,917,906 | |
Kenvue, Inc. | | | | 87,899 | | 1,654,259 | |
Kimberly-Clark Corp. | | | | 17,427 | | 2,379,308 | |
The Clorox Company | | | | 6,514 | | 963,225 | |
The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 11,892 | | 1,744,675 | |
The Procter & Gamble Company | | | | 122,336 | | 19,965,235 | |
| | | | 31,972,586 | |
Insurance - 2.1% | | | | | |
Aflac, Inc. | | | | 27,122 | | 2,268,755 | |
American International Group, Inc. | | | | 36,978 | | 2,784,813 | |
Aon PLC, Cl. A | | | | 10,342 | | 2,916,547 | |
Arch Capital Group Ltd. | | | | 19,138 | a | 1,790,168 | |
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | | | | 11,371 | | 2,668,660 | |
Assurant, Inc. | | | | 2,657 | | 463,381 | |
Brown & Brown, Inc. | | | | 12,501 | | 1,019,332 | |
Chubb Ltd. | | | | 20,970 | | 5,213,981 | |
Cincinnati Financial Corp. | | | | 8,074 | | 934,081 | |
Everest Group Ltd. | | | | 2,305 | | 844,575 | |
Globe Life, Inc. | | | | 4,364 | | 332,406 | |
Loews Corp. | | | | 9,390 | | 705,658 | |
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. | | | | 25,580 | | 5,101,419 | |
MetLife, Inc. | | | | 31,844 | | 2,263,471 | |
Principal Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 11,752 | | 930,053 | |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | | 19,027 | | 2,102,103 | |
The Allstate Corp. | | | | 13,781 | | 2,343,597 | |
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | | | | 15,627 | | 1,514,100 | |
12
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Insurance - 2.1% (continued) | | | | | |
The Progressive Corp. | | | | 30,430 | | 6,337,047 | |
The Travelers Companies, Inc. | | | | 12,032 | | 2,552,709 | |
W.R. Berkley Corp. | | | | 10,110 | | 778,167 | |
Willis Towers Watson PLC | | | | 5,443 | | 1,366,955 | |
| | | | 47,231,978 | |
Materials - 2.3% | | | | | |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | | | 11,551 | | 2,729,963 | |
Albemarle Corp. | | | | 6,030 | b | 725,469 | |
Amcor PLC | | | | 77,443 | | 692,340 | |
Avery Dennison Corp. | | | | 4,201 | | 912,793 | |
Ball Corp. | | | | 16,451 | | 1,144,496 | |
Celanese Corp. | | | | 5,190 | | 797,236 | |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | | | | 9,503 | | 750,452 | |
Corteva, Inc. | | | | 37,021 | | 2,003,947 | |
Dow, Inc. | | | | 36,193 | | 2,059,382 | |
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. | | | | 22,362 | | 1,621,245 | |
Eastman Chemical Co. | | | | 6,015 | | 568,057 | |
Ecolab, Inc. | | | | 13,077 | | 2,957,364 | |
FMC Corp. | | | | 6,644 | | 392,062 | |
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | | | | 74,206 | | 3,705,848 | |
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. | | | | 13,238 | | 1,120,597 | |
International Paper Co. | | | | 17,072 | | 596,496 | |
Linde PLC | | | | 25,210 | | 11,116,602 | |
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Cl. A | | | | 13,482 | | 1,347,796 | |
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. | | | | 3,221 | | 1,890,952 | |
Newmont Corp. | | | | 60,418 | | 2,455,387 | |
Nucor Corp. | | | | 12,957 | | 2,183,643 | |
Packaging Corp. of America | | | | 4,602 | | 796,054 | |
PPG Industries, Inc. | | | | 12,346 | | 1,592,634 | |
Steel Dynamics, Inc. | | | | 7,688 | | 1,000,363 | |
The Mosaic Company | | | | 17,757 | | 557,392 | |
The Sherwin-Williams Company | | | | 12,208 | | 3,657,639 | |
Vulcan Materials Co. | | | | 6,820 | | 1,757,037 | |
WestRock Co. | | | | 13,828 | | 663,191 | |
| | | | 51,796,437 | |
Media & Entertainment - 8.1% | | | | | |
Alphabet, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 306,384 | | 49,873,187 | |
Alphabet, Inc., Cl. C | | | | 256,513 | | 42,232,300 | |
Charter Communications, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 5,040 | a,b | 1,289,938 | |
Comcast Corp., Cl. A | | | | 206,011 | | 7,851,079 | |
Electronic Arts, Inc. | | | | 12,797 | | 1,622,916 | |
Fox Corp., Cl. A | | | | 12,444 | | 385,888 | |
Fox Corp., Cl. B | | | | 7,842 | | 224,909 | |
13
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Media & Entertainment - 8.1% (continued) | | | | | |
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. | | | | 7,043 | a | 626,193 | |
Match Group, Inc. | | | | 14,786 | a | 455,705 | |
Meta Platforms, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 114,383 | | 49,204,135 | |
Netflix, Inc. | | | | 22,500 | a | 12,389,400 | |
News Corporation, Cl. A | | | | 18,382 | | 437,492 | |
News Corporation, Cl. B | | | | 5,405 | | 132,639 | |
Omnicom Group, Inc. | | | | 10,344 | | 960,337 | |
Paramount Global, Cl. B | | | | 26,423 | | 300,958 | |
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. | | | | 8,025 | a | 1,146,050 | |
The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. | | | | 20,827 | | 633,974 | |
The Walt Disney Company | | | | 95,368 | | 10,595,385 | |
Warner Bros Discovery, Inc. | | | | 117,270 | a | 863,107 | |
| | | | 181,225,592 | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences - 7.0% | | | | | |
AbbVie, Inc. | | | | 91,792 | | 14,929,051 | |
Agilent Technologies, Inc. | | | | 15,421 | | 2,113,294 | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | | 27,815 | | 7,619,641 | |
Biogen, Inc. | | | | 7,391 | a | 1,587,735 | |
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 1,162 | a | 313,449 | |
Bio-Techne Corp. | | | | 8,140 | | 514,529 | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | | | | 105,790 | | 4,648,413 | |
Catalent, Inc. | | | | 9,498 | a | 530,463 | |
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. | | | | 2,665 | a | 610,285 | |
Danaher Corp. | | | | 34,192 | | 8,432,431 | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | | 41,459 | | 32,383,625 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | | 64,713 | | 4,219,288 | |
Illumina, Inc. | | | | 8,309 | a | 1,022,422 | |
Incyte Corp. | | | | 9,782 | a | 509,153 | |
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. | | | | 9,459 | a | 2,192,312 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | | 125,157 | | 18,096,451 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | | 131,747 | | 17,024,347 | |
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. | | | | 1,141 | a | 1,403,088 | |
Moderna, Inc. | | | | 17,335 | a | 1,912,224 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | | 293,564 | | 7,521,110 | |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 5,493 | a | 4,892,395 | |
Revvity, Inc. | | | | 6,359 | | 651,607 | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | | | | 20,088 | | 11,424,447 | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 13,398 | a | 5,262,868 | |
Viatris, Inc. | | | | 64,280 | | 743,720 | |
Waters Corp. | | | | 3,146 | a | 972,240 | |
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. | | | | 3,868 | | 1,382,733 | |
14
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences - 7.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Zoetis, Inc. | | | | 24,199 | | 3,853,449 | |
| | | | 156,766,770 | |
Real Estate Management & Development - .2% | | | | | |
CBRE Group, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 15,604 | a | 1,355,832 | |
CoStar Group, Inc. | | | | 21,122 | a | 1,933,297 | |
| | | | 3,289,129 | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 10.0% | | | | | |
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | | | | 84,007 | a | 13,305,029 | |
Analog Devices, Inc. | | | | 25,779 | | 5,171,525 | |
Applied Materials, Inc. | | | | 43,260 | | 8,593,599 | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | | 22,879 | | 29,748,877 | |
Enphase Energy, Inc. | | | | 7,124 | a | 774,806 | |
First Solar, Inc. | | | | 5,567 | a | 981,462 | |
Intel Corp. | | | | 219,819 | | 6,697,885 | |
KLA Corp. | | | | 7,031 | | 4,846,398 | |
Lam Research Corp. | | | | 6,803 | | 6,084,671 | |
Microchip Technology, Inc. | | | | 27,689 | | 2,546,834 | |
Micron Technology, Inc. | | | | 57,394 | | 6,483,226 | |
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. | | | | 2,520 | | 1,686,712 | |
NVIDIA Corp. | | | | 128,418 | | 110,955,720 | |
NXP Semiconductors NV | | | | 13,306 | | 3,408,864 | |
ON Semiconductor Corp. | | | | 21,737 | a | 1,525,068 | |
Qorvo, Inc. | | | | 5,147 | a | 601,375 | |
Qualcomm, Inc. | | | | 58,022 | | 9,622,949 | |
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | | | | 8,262 | | 880,647 | |
Teradyne, Inc. | | | | 7,880 | | 916,602 | |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | | | | 47,275 | | 8,340,255 | |
| | | | 223,172,504 | |
Software & Services - 11.2% | | | | | |
Accenture PLC, Cl. A | | | | 32,598 | | 9,809,064 | |
Adobe, Inc. | | | | 23,500 | a | 10,876,505 | |
Akamai Technologies, Inc. | | | | 8,082 | a | 815,716 | |
Ansys, Inc. | | | | 4,542 | a | 1,475,605 | |
Autodesk, Inc. | | | | 11,066 | a | 2,355,398 | |
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. | | | | 14,120 | a | 3,891,896 | |
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Cl. A | | | | 25,479 | | 1,673,461 | |
EPAM Systems, Inc. | | | | 3,012 | a | 708,603 | |
Fair Isaac Corp. | | | | 1,305 | a | 1,478,996 | |
Fortinet, Inc. | | | | 33,501 | a | 2,116,593 | |
Gartner, Inc. | | | | 4,108 | a | 1,694,920 | |
Gen Digital, Inc. | | | | 30,280 | | 609,839 | |
15
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Software & Services - 11.2% (continued) | | | | | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | | | 47,573 | | 7,906,633 | |
Intuit, Inc. | | | | 14,554 | | 9,105,273 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | | 386,318 | | 150,405,187 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | | 82,894 | | 9,429,192 | |
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. | | | | 16,382 | a | 4,765,360 | |
PTC, Inc. | | | | 6,254 | a | 1,109,710 | |
Roper Technologies, Inc. | | | | 5,630 | | 2,879,520 | |
Salesforce, Inc. | | | | 50,328 | | 13,535,212 | |
ServiceNow, Inc. | | | | 10,658 | a | 7,389,511 | |
Synopsys, Inc. | | | | 8,016 | a | 4,253,209 | |
Tyler Technologies, Inc. | | | | 2,219 | a | 1,024,179 | |
Verisign, Inc. | | | | 4,669 | a | 791,302 | |
| | | | 250,100,884 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment - 7.5% | | | | | |
Amphenol Corp., Cl. A | | | | 31,169 | | 3,764,280 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | | 754,672 | | 128,543,282 | |
Arista Networks, Inc. | | | | 13,053 | a | 3,348,878 | |
CDW Corp. | | | | 6,987 | | 1,689,876 | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | | 211,265 | | 9,925,230 | |
Corning, Inc. | | | | 40,471 | | 1,350,922 | |
F5, Inc. | | | | 3,172 | a | 524,363 | |
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. | | | | 68,287 | | 1,160,879 | |
HP, Inc. | | | | 45,607 | | 1,281,101 | |
Jabil, Inc. | | | | 6,361 | | 746,527 | |
Juniper Networks, Inc. | | | | 17,085 | | 594,900 | |
Keysight Technologies, Inc. | | | | 8,871 | a | 1,312,376 | |
Motorola Solutions, Inc. | | | | 8,553 | | 2,900,750 | |
NetApp, Inc. | | | | 10,388 | | 1,061,757 | |
Seagate Technology Holdings PLC | | | | 10,215 | | 877,571 | |
Super Micro Computer, Inc. | | | | 2,570 | a | 2,207,116 | |
TE Connectivity Ltd. | | | | 15,912 | | 2,251,230 | |
Teledyne Technologies, Inc. | | | | 2,471 | a | 942,637 | |
Trimble, Inc. | | | | 12,488 | a | 750,154 | |
Western Digital Corp. | | | | 16,900 | a | 1,197,027 | |
Zebra Technologies Corp., Cl. A | | | | 2,661 | a | 837,044 | |
| | | | 167,267,900 | |
Telecommunication Services - .9% | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | | 371,737 | | 6,278,638 | |
T-Mobile US, Inc. | | | | 27,119 | | 4,452,126 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | | 218,585 | | 8,631,922 | |
| | | | 19,362,686 | |
Transportation - 1.7% | | | | | |
American Airlines Group, Inc. | | | | 32,844 | a | 443,722 | |
16
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Transportation - 1.7% (continued) | | | | | |
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | | | | 6,392 | | 453,832 | |
CSX Corp. | | | | 102,284 | | 3,397,874 | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | | | | 33,391 | | 1,671,887 | |
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | | | | 7,790 | | 867,105 | |
FedEx Corp. | | | | 11,881 | | 3,110,208 | |
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. | | | | 4,220 | | 686,045 | |
Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | | 11,860 | | 2,731,595 | |
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | | | | 9,432 | | 1,713,889 | |
Southwest Airlines Co. | | | | 30,471 | | 790,418 | |
Uber Technologies, Inc. | | | | 106,991 | a | 7,090,294 | |
Union Pacific Corp. | | | | 31,703 | | 7,518,683 | |
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | | | | 17,086 | a | 879,246 | |
United Parcel Service, Inc., Cl. B | | | | 37,603 | | 5,545,690 | |
| | | | 36,900,488 | |
Utilities - 2.3% | | | | | |
Alliant Energy Corp. | | | | 13,661 | | 680,318 | |
Ameren Corp. | | | | 13,627 | | 1,006,626 | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | | 27,647 | | 2,378,471 | |
American Water Works Co., Inc. | | | | 10,258 | | 1,254,759 | |
Atmos Energy Corp. | | | | 7,821 | b | 922,096 | |
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | | | | 31,619 | | 921,378 | |
CMS Energy Corp. | | | | 15,706 | | 951,941 | |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | | | 18,164 | | 1,714,682 | |
Constellation Energy Corp. | | | | 16,475 | | 3,063,361 | |
Dominion Energy, Inc. | | | | 42,703 | | 2,176,999 | |
DTE Energy Co. | | | | 10,918 | | 1,204,474 | |
Duke Energy Corp. | | | | 39,911 | | 3,921,655 | |
Edison International | | | | 19,515 | | 1,386,736 | |
Entergy Corp. | | | | 11,232 | | 1,198,117 | |
Evergy, Inc. | | | | 11,882 | | 623,211 | |
Eversource Energy | | | | 18,162 | | 1,100,980 | |
Exelon Corp. | | | | 52,466 | | 1,971,672 | |
FirstEnergy Corp. | | | | 26,127 | | 1,001,709 | |
NextEra Energy, Inc. | | | | 106,671 | | 7,143,757 | |
NiSource, Inc. | | | | 21,090 | | 587,567 | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | | | | 11,402 | | 828,583 | |
PG&E Corp. | | | | 111,361 | | 1,905,387 | |
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | | | 5,773 | | 425,181 | |
PPL Corp. | | | | 38,418 | | 1,054,958 | |
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | | | 26,104 | | 1,803,264 | |
Sempra | | | | 33,126 | | 2,372,815 | |
The AES Corp. | | | | 34,306 | | 614,077 | |
17
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Utilities - 2.3% (continued) | | | | | |
The Southern Company | | | | 56,522 | | 4,154,367 | |
WEC Energy Group, Inc. | | | | 15,962 | | 1,319,100 | |
Xcel Energy, Inc. | | | | 29,167 | | 1,567,143 | |
| | | | 51,255,384 | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $413,457,804) | | | | 2,195,899,648 | |
| | 1-Day Yield (%) | | | | | |
Investment Companies - 1.8% | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies - 1.8% | | | | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares (cost $41,158,414) | | 5.41 | | 41,158,414 | d | 41,158,414 | |
Total Investments (cost $454,616,218) | | 100.0% | | 2,237,058,062 | |
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables | | (.0%) | | (429,742) | |
Net Assets | | 100.0% | | 2,236,628,320 | |
a Non-income producing security.
b Security, or portion thereof, on loan. At April 30, 2024, the value of the fund’s securities on loan was $25,656,268 and the value of the collateral was $26,508,477, consisting of U.S. Government & Agency securities. In addition, the value of collateral may include pending sales that are also on loan.
c Investment in real estate investment trust within the United States.
d Investment in affiliated issuer. The investment objective of this investment company is publicly available and can be found within the investment company’s prospectus.
| |
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited) † | Value (%) |
Information Technology | 28.6 |
Financials | 12.9 |
Health Care | 12.1 |
Consumer Discretionary | 10.1 |
Communication Services | 9.0 |
Industrials | 8.7 |
Consumer Staples | 6.1 |
Energy | 4.0 |
Materials | 2.3 |
Utilities | 2.3 |
Real Estate | 2.1 |
Investment Companies | 1.8 |
| 100.0 |
† Based on net assets.
See notes to financial statements.
18
| | | | | | |
Affiliated Issuers | | | |
Description | Value ($) 10/31/2023 | Purchases ($)† | Sales ($) | Value ($) 4/30/2024 | Dividends/ Distributions ($) | |
Registered Investment Companies - 1.8% | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares - 1.8% | 15,184,090 | 124,958,076 | (98,983,752) | 41,158,414 | 685,678 | |
Investment of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned - .0% | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares - .0% | 587,858 | 8,165,167 | (8,753,025) | - | 19,703 | †† |
Total - 1.8% | 15,771,948 | 133,123,243 | (107,736,777) | 41,158,414 | 705,381 | |
† Includes reinvested dividends/distributions.
†† Represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.
See notes to financial statements.
| | | | | | |
Futures | | | |
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration | Notional Value ($) | Market Value ($) | Unrealized (Depreciation) ($) | |
Futures Long | | |
Standard & Poor's 500 E-mini | 172 | 6/21/2024 | 44,654,320 | 43,576,200 | (1,078,120) | |
Gross Unrealized Depreciation | | (1,078,120) | |
See notes to financial statements.
19
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | Cost | | Value | |
Assets ($): | | | | |
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments (including securities on loan, valued at $25,656,268)—Note 1(c): | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | 413,457,804 | | 2,195,899,648 | |
Affiliated issuers | | 41,158,414 | | 41,158,414 | |
Cash collateral held by broker—Note 4 | | 2,107,000 | |
Dividends and securities lending income receivable | | 1,485,716 | |
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed | | 524,804 | |
| | | | | 2,241,175,582 | |
Liabilities ($): | | | | |
Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates—Note 3(b) | | 925,934 | |
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed | | 2,901,652 | |
Payable for futures variation margin—Note 4 | | 689,793 | |
Directors’ fees and expenses payable | | 29,883 | |
| | | | | 4,547,262 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 2,236,628,320 | |
Composition of Net Assets ($): | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | | | 364,514,282 | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | | | | | 1,872,114,038 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 2,236,628,320 | |
| | | | |
Shares Outstanding | | |
(200 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock authorized) | 41,383,704 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share ($) | | 54.05 | |
| | | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | |
20
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Investment Income ($): | | | | |
Income: | | | | |
Cash dividends (net of $4,174 foreign taxes withheld at source): | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 16,798,555 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 685,678 | |
Interest | | | 27,491 | |
Income from securities lending—Note 1(c) | | | 19,703 | |
Total Income | | | 17,531,427 | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Management fee—Note 3(a) | | | 2,745,159 | |
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b) | | | 2,745,159 | |
Directors’ fees—Note 3(a,c) | | | 42,450 | |
Loan commitment fees—Note 2 | | | 23,314 | |
Total Expenses | | | 5,556,082 | |
Less—Directors’ fees reimbursed by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.—Note 3(a) | | | (42,450) | |
Net Expenses | | | 5,513,632 | |
Net Investment Income | | | 12,017,795 | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($): | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | 94,743,303 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on futures | 4,543,098 | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) | | | 99,286,401 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | 287,822,350 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures | (1,067,183) | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | 286,755,167 | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | | | 386,041,568 | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | 398,059,363 | |
| | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | |
21
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (Unaudited) | | Year Ended October 31, 2023 | |
Operations ($): | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 12,017,795 | | | | 23,595,971 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | 99,286,401 | | | | 127,811,342 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 286,755,167 | | | | 28,747,655 | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 398,059,363 | | | | 180,154,968 | |
Distributions ($): | |
Distributions to shareholders | | | (149,998,944) | | | | (198,845,595) | |
Capital Stock Transactions ($): | |
Net proceeds from shares sold | | | 95,304,190 | | | | 163,005,453 | |
Distributions reinvested | | | 145,298,718 | | | | 193,006,792 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (190,055,008) | | | | (318,865,373) | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Stock Transactions | 50,547,900 | | | | 37,146,872 | |
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | 298,608,319 | | | | 18,456,245 | |
Net Assets ($): | |
Beginning of Period | | | 1,938,020,001 | | | | 1,919,563,756 | |
End of Period | | | 2,236,628,320 | | | | 1,938,020,001 | |
Capital Share Transactions (Shares): | |
Shares sold | | | 1,791,420 | | | | 3,376,306 | |
Shares issued for distributions reinvested | | | 2,860,211 | | | | 4,445,113 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (3,566,686) | | | | (6,644,669) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | 1,084,945 | | | | 1,176,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | | | | |
22
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. Net asset value total return includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.
| | | | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
April 30, 2024 | Year Ended October 31, |
| | (Unaudited) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 48.09 | 49.07 | 65.31 | 51.48 | 53.93 | 55.44 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Net investment incomea | .29 | .57 | .56 | .56 | .71 | .79 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 9.43 | 3.59 | (9.08) | 19.58 | 4.07 | 5.03 |
Total from Investment Operations | 9.72 | 4.16 | (8.52) | 20.14 | 4.78 | 5.82 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | (.60) | (.62) | (.58) | (.75) | (.85) | (.84) |
Dividends from net realized gain on investments | (3.16) | (4.52) | (7.14) | (5.56) | (6.38) | (6.49) |
Total Distributions | (3.76) | (5.14) | (7.72) | (6.31) | (7.23) | (7.33) |
Net asset value, end of period | 54.05 | 48.09 | 49.07 | 65.31 | 51.48 | 53.93 |
Total Return (%) | 20.70b | 9.60 | (15.03) | 42.21 | 9.13 | 13.76 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | .51c | .51 | .51 | .51 | .51 | .51 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | .50c | .50 | .50 | .50 | .50 | .50 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 1.09c | 1.19 | 1.03 | .95 | 1.41 | 1.55 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | .87b | 1.98 | 1.89 | 3.31 | 2.43 | 2.81 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 2,236,628 | 1,938,020 | 1,919,564 | 2,553,501 | 2,078,988 | 2,272,556 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Not annualized.
c Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
23
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:
BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund (the “fund”) is a separate diversified series of BNY Mellon Index Funds, Inc. (the “Company”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company and operates as a series company currently offering three series, including the fund. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to match the performance of the S&P 500® Index. BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser. BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge.
The Company accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund is an investment company and applies the accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.
(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in
24
active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, 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 methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has designated the Adviser as the fund’s valuation designee to make all fair value determinations with respect to the fund’s portfolio investments, subject to the Board’s oversight and pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act.
Investments in equity securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities are primarily traded. Securities listed on the National Market System for which market quotations are available are valued at the official closing price or, if there is no official closing price that day, at the last sales price. For open short positions, asked prices are used for valuation purposes. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Registered investment companies that are not traded on an exchange are valued at their net asset value. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Securities not listed on an exchange or the national securities market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are valued at the average of
25
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
the most recent bid and asked prices. These securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Fair valuing of securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using calculations based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as prices of relevant American Depositary Receipts and futures. Utilizing these techniques may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to accurately reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.
For securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and such securities are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Futures, which are traded on an exchange, are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded or at the last sales price on the national securities market on each business day and are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2024 in valuing the fund’s investments:
26
| | | | | | |
| Level 1-Unadjusted Quoted Prices | Level 2- Other Significant Observable Inputs | | Level 3-Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total | |
Assets ($) | | |
Investments in Securities:† | | |
Equity Securities - Common Stocks | 2,195,899,648 | - | | - | 2,195,899,648 | |
Investment Companies | 41,158,414 | - | | - | 41,158,414 | |
Liabilities ($) | | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | |
Futures†† | (1,078,120) | - | | - | (1,078,120) | |
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations, if any.
†† Amount shown represents unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end, but only variation margin on exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives, if any, are reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(b) Foreign taxes: The fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, realized and unrealized capital gains on investments or certain foreign currency transactions. Foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the fund and are reflected in the Statement of Operations, if applicable. Foreign taxes payable or deferred or those subject to reclaims as of April 30, 2024, if any, are disclosed in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(c) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income, including, where applicable, accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is recognized on the accrual basis.
Pursuant to a securities lending agreement with BNY Mellon, the fund may lend securities to qualified institutions. It is the fund’s policy that, at origination, all loans are secured by collateral of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned and 105% of the value of foreign securities loaned. Collateral equivalent to at least 100% of the market value of securities on loan is maintained at all times. Collateral is either in the form of cash, which can be invested in certain money market mutual funds managed by the Adviser, or U.S. Government and Agency securities. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold or re-pledged by the fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in the fund’s Statement of Investments. The fund is entitled
27
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
to receive all dividends, interest and distributions on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Should a borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner, BNY Mellon is required to replace the securities for the benefit of the fund or credit the fund with the market value of the unreturned securities and is subrogated to the fund’s rights against the borrower and the collateral. Additionally, the contractual maturity of security lending transactions are on an overnight and continuous basis. During the period ended April 30, 2024, BNY Mellon earned $2,686 from the lending of the fund’s portfolio securities, pursuant to the securities lending agreement.
For financial reporting purposes, the fund elects not to offset assets and liabilities subject to a securities lending agreement, if any, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Therefore, all qualifying transactions are presented on a gross basis in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As of April 30, 2024, the fund had securities lending and the impact of netting of assets and liabilities and the offsetting of collateral pledged or received, if any, based on contractual netting/set-off provisions in the securities lending agreement are detailed in the following table:
| | | | | | |
| | | Assets ($) | | Liabilities ($) | |
Securities Lending | | 25,656,268 | | - | |
Total gross amount of assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | 25,656,268 | | - | |
Collateral (received)/posted not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | (25,656,268) | 1 | - | |
Net amount | | - | | - | |
1 | The value of the related collateral received by the fund normally exceeded the value of the securities loaned by the fund pursuant to the securities lending agreement. In addition, the value of collateral may include pending sales that are also on loan. See Statement of Investments for detailed information regarding collateral received for open securities lending. |
(d) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by the Adviser are considered “affiliated” under the Act.
(e) Market Risk: The value of the securities in which the fund invests may be affected by political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed-income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the fund. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or
28
developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies world-wide.
Indexing Strategy Risk: The fund uses an indexing strategy. It does not attempt to manage market volatility, use defensive strategies or reduce the effects of any long-term periods of poor index performance. The correlation between fund and index performance may be affected by the fund’s expenses, changes in securities markets, changes in the composition of the index and the timing of purchases and redemptions of fund shares.
(f) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income and dividends from net realized capital gains, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To the extent that net realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryovers, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gains. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(g) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of taxable income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.
As of and during the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
Each tax year in the three-year period ended October 31, 2023 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.
The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 was as follows: ordinary income $24,003,665 and long-term capital gains $174,841,930. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:
The fund participates with other long-term open-end funds managed by the Adviser in a $738 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A.
29
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
(the “Citibank Credit Facility”) and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by BNY Mellon (the “BNYM Credit Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions (each, a “Facility”). The Citibank Credit Facility is available in two tranches: (i) Tranche A is in an amount equal to $618 million and is available to all long-term open-ended funds, including the fund, and (ii) Tranche B is an amount equal to $120 million and is available only to BNY Mellon Floating Rate Income Fund, a series of BNY Mellon Investment Funds IV, Inc. In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay its pro rata portion of commitment fees for Tranche A of the Citibank Credit Facility and the BNYM Credit Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on rates determined pursuant to the terms of the respective Facility at the time of borrowing. During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.
NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Adviser has agreed in its management agreement with the fund to: (1) pay all of the fund’s direct expenses, except management fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees and certain other expenses, including the fees and expenses of the non-interested board members and the fees and expenses of counsel to the fund and to the non-interested board members, and (2) reduce its fee pursuant to the management agreement in an amount equal to the fund’s allocable portion of the fees and expenses of the non-interested board members and the fees and expenses of counsel to the fund and to the non-interested board members. These provisions in the management agreement may not be amended without the approval of the fund’s shareholders. During the period ended April 30, 2024, fees reimbursed by the Adviser amounted to $42,450.
(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the fund pays the Distributor for the provision of certain services, at an annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts such as recordkeeping and sub-accounting services. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service
30
Agents. During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund was charged $2,745,159 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
The fund has an arrangement with The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund will receive interest income or be charged overdraft fees when cash balances are maintained. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes this interest income and overdraft fees, if any, as interest income in the Statement of Operations.
The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fee of $465,967 and Shareholder Services Plan fees of $465,967, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $6,000.
(c) Each board member of the fund also serves as a board member of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and meeting attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.
NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and futures, during the period ended April 30, 2024, amounted to $18,861,967 and $126,292,137, respectively.
Derivatives: A derivative is a financial instrument whose performance is derived from the performance of another asset. Rule 18f-4 under the Act regulates the use of derivatives transactions for certain funds registered under the Act. The fund is deemed a “limited” derivatives user under the rule and is required to limit its derivatives exposure so that the total notional value of applicable derivatives does not exceed 10% of fund’s net assets, and is subject to certain reporting requirements. Each type of derivative instrument that was held by the fund during the period ended April 30, 2024 is discussed below.
Futures: In the normal course of pursuing its investment objective, the fund is exposed to market risk, including equity price risk, as a result of changes in value of underlying financial instruments. The fund invests in futures in order to manage its exposure to or protect against changes in the market. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or a sale of an asset at a specified date. Upon entering into such contracts, these investments require initial margin deposits with a counterparty, which consist of cash or cash equivalents. The amount of these deposits is determined by the exchange or Board of Trade on which
31
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
the contract is traded and is subject to change. Accordingly, variation margin payments are received or made to reflect daily unrealized gains or losses which are recorded in the Statement of Operations. When the contracts are closed, the fund recognizes a realized gain or loss which is reflected in the Statement of Operations. There is minimal counterparty credit risk to the fund with futures since they are exchange traded, and the exchange guarantees the futures against default. Futures open at April 30, 2024 are set forth in the Statement of Investments.
The following tables show the fund’s exposure to different types of market risk as it relates to the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Statement of Operations, respectively.
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Fair value of derivative instruments as of April 30, 2024 is shown below: |
| | | | | | |
| | Derivative Assets ($) | | | Derivative Liabilities ($) | |
Equity risk | - | | Equity risk | (1,078,120) | 1 |
Gross fair value of derivative contracts | - | | | | (1,078,120) | |
| | | | | | |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: | |
1 | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures as reported in the Statement of Investments, but only the unpaid variation margin is reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The effect of derivative instruments in the Statement of Operations during the period ended April 30, 2024 is shown below:
| | | | | |
Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income ($) | |
Underlying risk | Futures | 1 | Total | |
Equity | 4,543,098 | | 4,543,098 | |
Total | 4,543,098 | | 4,543,098 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in income ($) | |
Underlying risk | Futures | 2 | Total | |
Equity | (1,067,183) | | (1,067,183) | |
Total | (1,067,183) | | (1,067,183) | |
| | | | | |
| Statement of Operations location: | |
1 | Net realized gain (loss) on futures. |
2 | Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures. |
32
The following table summarizes the monthy average market value of derivatives outstanding during the period ended April 30, 2024:
| | |
| | Average Market Value ($) |
Futures: | | |
Equity Futures Long | | 26,131,779 |
At April 30, 2024, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments inclusive of derivatives contracts was $1,781,363,724, consisting of $1,809,025,946 gross unrealized appreciation and $27,662,222 gross unrealized depreciation.
At April 30, 2024, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
33
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited)
At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) held on March 5-6, 2024, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement pursuant to which the Adviser provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”). The Board members, none of whom are “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from representatives of the Adviser. In considering the renewal of the Agreement, the Board considered several factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below. The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.
Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to it at the meeting and in previous presentations from representatives of the Adviser regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, including the fund. The Adviser provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. The Adviser also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or the Adviser) and the Adviser’s corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.
The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that the Adviser also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered the Adviser’s extensive administrative, accounting and compliance infrastructures.
Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data based on classifications provided by Thomson Reuters Lipper (“Lipper “), which included information comparing (1) the performance of the fund’s shares with the performance of a group of retail no-load S&P 500 index funds selected by Broadridge as comparable to the fund (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds consisting of all retail and institutional S&P 500 index funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended December 31, 2023, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of the same group of funds in the Performance Group (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of all retail no-load S&P 500 index funds, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Broadridge as
34
of the date of its analysis. The Adviser previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.
Performance Comparisons. Representatives of the Adviser stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations and policies that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds and the end date selected. The Board also considered the fund’s performance in light of overall financial market conditions. The Board discussed with representatives of the Adviser the results of the comparisons and considered that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for all periods. The Board considered the relative proximity of the fund’s performance to the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians during the periods under review. The Adviser also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s benchmark index. The Board noted that the fund had a four-star overall rating and a four-star rating for the ten-year period from Morningstar based on Morningstar’s risk-adjusted return measures.
Management Fee and Expense Ratio Comparisons. The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee rate payable by the fund to the Adviser in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management services provided by the Adviser. In addition, the Board reviewed and considered the actual management fee rate paid by the fund over the fund’s last fiscal year, which included reductions for a fee waiver arrangement in place that reduced the management fee paid to the Adviser. The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses as a percentage of average net assets of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.
The Board noted that the Adviser pays all fund expenses, other than the actual management fee and certain other expenses. Because of the fund’s “unitary” fee structure, the Board recognized that the fund’s fees and expenses will vary within a much smaller range and the Adviser will bear the risk that fund expenses may increase over time. On the other hand, the Board noted that it is possible that the Adviser could earn a profit on the fees charged under the Agreement and would benefit from any price decreases in third-party services covered by the Agreement. Taking into account the fund’s “unitary” fee structure, the Board considered that the fund’s contractual management fee was higher than the Expense Group median contractual management fee, the fund’s actual management fee was higher than the Expense Group median and higher than the Expense Universe median actual management fee, and the fund’s total expenses were higher than the Expense Group median and higher than the Expense Universe median total expenses.
Representatives of the Adviser reviewed with the Board the management or investment advisory fees paid to the Adviser, or the primary employer of the fund’s primary portfolio managers that is affiliated with the Adviser, for advising any separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios that are considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund (the “Similar Clients”), and explained the nature of the
35
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued)
Similar Clients. They discussed differences in fees paid and the relationship of the fees paid in light of any differences in the services provided and other relevant factors, noting the fund’s “unitary” fee structure. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Clients to evaluate the appropriateness of the fund’s management fee. Representatives of the Adviser noted that there were no other funds advised or administered by the Adviser that are in the same Lipper category as the fund.
Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Representatives of the Adviser reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by the Adviser and its affiliates and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to the Adviser and its affiliates for managing the funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not excessive, given the services rendered and service levels provided by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the fee waiver arrangement and its effect on the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding the Adviser’s approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire BNY Mellon fund complex. The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.
The Board considered, on the advice of its counsel, the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fee under the Agreement, considered in relation to the mix of services provided by the Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, supported the renewal of the Agreement and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Representatives of the Adviser stated that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to the Adviser from acting as investment adviser and took into consideration that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.
At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Agreement. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.
· The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser are adequate and appropriate.
· The Board was generally satisfied with the fund’s performance.
36
· The Board concluded that the fee paid to the Adviser continued to be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the factors and the totality of the services provided as discussed above.
· The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by the Adviser in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.
In evaluating the Agreement, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with the Adviser and its affiliates, of the Adviser and the services provided to the fund by the Adviser. The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreement, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for the fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of the Agreement for the fund, or substantially similar agreements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and representatives of the Adviser. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on its consideration of the fund’s arrangements, or substantially similar arrangements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, in prior years. The Board determined to renew the Agreement.
37
BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Adviser
BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent
BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Distributor
BNY Mellon Securities Corporation
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-373-9387
Mail The BNY Mellon Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
E-mail Send your request to info@bnymellon.com
Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.im.bnymellon.com
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the fund voted these proxies for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.im.bnymellon.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-373-9387.
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© 2024 BNY Mellon Securities Corporation 0078SA0424 | |
BNY Mellon Smallcap Stock Index Fund
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SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT April 30, 2024 |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE – UPCOMING CHANGES TO ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted rule and form amendments that will result in changes to the design and delivery of annual and semi-annual fund reports (“Reports”). Beginning in July 2024, Reports will be streamlined to highlight key information. Certain information currently included in Reports, including financial statements, will no longer appear in the Reports but will be available online, delivered free of charge to shareholders upon request, and filed with the SEC. If you previously elected to receive the fund’s Reports electronically, you will continue to do so. Otherwise, you will receive paper copies of the fund’s re-designed Reports by USPS mail in the future. If you would like to receive the fund’s Reports (and/or other communications) electronically instead of by mail, please contact your financial advisor or, if you are a direct investor, please log into your mutual fund account at www.bnymellonim.com/us and select “E-Delivery” under the Profile page. You must be registered for online account access before you can enroll in E-Delivery. |
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Save time. Save paper. View your next shareholder report online as soon as it’s available. Log into www.im.bnymellon.com and sign up for eCommunications. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes. |
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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. or any other person in the BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. |
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Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value |
Contents
T H E F U N D
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
Back Cover
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)
For the period from November 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, as provided by David France, CFA, Todd Frysinger, CFA, Vlasta Sheremeta, CFA, Michael Stoll and Marlene Walker Smith, portfolio managers
Market and Fund Performance Overview
For the six-month period ended April 30, 2024, the BNY Mellon Smallcap Stock Index Fund’s (the “fund”) Investor shares produced a total return of 17.93%, and its Class I shares returned 18.05%.1 In comparison, the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark, produced a 18.11% total return for the same period.2,3
U.S. equities gained ground during the reporting period as inflationary pressures eased, interest rates plateaued and economic growth remained positive. The difference in returns between the fund and the Index resulted primarily from transaction costs and operating expenses that are not reflected in Index results.
The Fund’s Investment Approach
The fund seeks to match the performance of the Index. To pursue its goal, the fund generally is fully invested in all of the stocks that comprise the Index and in futures whose performance is tied to the Index. The fund generally invests in all of the stocks in the Index in proportion to their weighting in the Index; however, at times, the fund may invest in a representative sample of stocks included in the Index and in futures whose performance is tied to the Index. Under these circumstances, the fund expects to invest in approximately 500 or more of the stocks in the Index.
Because the fund has expenses, performance will tend to be slightly lower than that of the Index. The fund attempts to have a correlation between its performance and that of the Index of at least 0.95, before fees and expenses. A correlation of 1.00 would mean that the fund and the Index were perfectly correlated.
The Index is an unmanaged index composed of the common stocks of 600 small-sized companies in the U.S. S&P weights each company’s stock in the Index by its market capitalization (i.e., the share price times the number of shares outstanding), adjusted by the number of available float shares (i.e., those shares available to public investors). Companies included in the Index generally have market capitalizations ranging between approximately $900 million and $5.8 billion, to the extent consistent with market conditions.
Economic Growth Drives Equity Gains
U.S. equities gained ground during the reporting period as the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) left the federal funds rate unchanged and forecast the possibility of rate cuts sometime in 2024. Inflation proved sticky, remaining in a range of 3.1%−3.5% throughout the period despite the highest interest rates in decades. Nevertheless, economic growth remained relatively strong, bolstered by robust consumer spending, high employment levels and healthy corporate profits. Investors appeared to accept the prospect of rates remaining higher for longer, bidding share prices to new records. At the same time, market strength broadened beyond the narrow group of artificial intelligence (“AI”)-related mega-cap names that drove most of the market’s gains early in the period. Although growth stocks continued to outperform their value-oriented counterparts for the reporting period as a whole, the margin between the two investment styles diminished significantly. Small-cap stocks moderately lagged the gains of large caps after underperforming by a more significant margin during the prior reporting period.
Cyclically Sensitive Sectors Outperform
Sectors leveraged to U.S. economic growth, including materials, consumer discretionary and industrials, performed relative well during the reporting period. In materials, top performers included aluminum
2
producers Century Aluminum Co. and Kaiser Aluminum Corp., as well as metal fabricator ATI, Inc. In the consumer discretionary space, notably strong stocks included housing products maker Installed Building Products, Inc., specialty retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and restauranteur Shake Shack, Inc. Leading industrial stocks included aerospace companies Kaman Corp. and Triumph Group, Inc., and custom-engineered equipment maker Powell Industries, Inc.
Conversely, the energy sector came under pressure from weak oil and gas prices, undermining returns from companies such as Green Plains, Inc., Nabors Industries Ltd. and Core Laboratories, Inc. Utilities stocks faced challenges related to high interest rates and investors’ preference for growth-oriented shares. Notable underperformers included Middlesex Water Co., SJW Group and American States Water CO. Finally, the communication services sector lagged the Index due to increased competition, rising operational costs and regulatory challenges. Particularly weak performers included Shenandoah Telecommunications Co. and ATN International, Inc.
The fund’s use of derivatives during the period was limited to futures contracts employed solely to offset the impact of cash positions, which the fund holds pursuant to its operations, but the Index does not. Such holdings helped the fund more closely match the performance of the Index.
Replicating the Performance of the Index
As of April 30, 2024, the U.S. economy remains robust. While persistent inflation has delayed the prospect of interest rate cuts until later this year, if not beyond, markets appear to have readjusted to the prevailing, higher-for-longer environment. The impact of the strong U.S. dollar on exports remains a concern. However, in the absence of unexpected economic shocks, we expect market volatility to decrease and inflation to gradually ease, potentially setting the stage for additional market gains.
However developments unfold, in seeking to match the performance of the Index, we do not actively manage investments in response to macroeconomic trends. As always, we continue to monitor factors that affect the fund’s investments.
May 15, 2024
1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. The fund’s return reflects the absorption of certain fund expenses by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. pursuant to an agreement. Had these expenses not been absorbed, returns would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost.
2 Source: Lipper Inc. — The S&P SmallCap 600® Index measures the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The Index is designed to track companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are liquid and financially viable. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.
3 “Standard & Poor’s®,” “S&P®,” and “S&P SmallCap 600®” are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and have been licensed for use on behalf of the fund. The fund is not sponsored, endorsed, managed, advised, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s and its affiliates, and Standard & Poor’s and its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the fund.
Please note: the position in any security highlighted with italicized typeface was sold during the reporting period.
Equities are subject generally to market, market sector, market liquidity, issuer and investment style risks, among other factors, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus.
The fund uses an indexing strategy. It does not attempt to manage market volatility, use defensive strategies or reduce the effects of any long-term periods of poor stock performance.
The prices of small company stocks tend to be more volatile than the prices of large company stocks, mainly because these companies have less established and more volatile earnings histories. They also tend to be less liquid than larger company stocks.
The fund may, but is not required, to use derivative instruments. A small investment in derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund’s performance. The use of derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying assets.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES (Unaudited)
As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees and other expenses. Using the information below, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You also may pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial adviser.
Review your fund’s expenses
The table below shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in BNY Mellon Smallcap Stock Index Fund from November 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.
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Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | |
Assume actual returns for the six months ended April 30, 2024 | |
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| | Investor Shares | Class I | |
Expenses paid per $1,000† | $2.76 | $1.41 | |
Ending value (after expenses) | $1,179.30 | $1,180.50 | |
COMPARING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES WITH THOSE OF OTHER FUNDS (Unaudited)
Using the SEC’s method to compare expenses
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the table below shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total cost) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.
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Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | |
Assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return for the six months ended April 30, 2024 | |
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| | Investor Shares | Class I | |
Expenses paid per $1,000† | $2.56 | $1.31 | |
Ending value (after expenses) | $1,022.33 | $1,023.57 | |
† | Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .51% for Investor Shares and .26% for Class I, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
4
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% | | | | | |
Automobiles & Components - 1.6% | | | | | |
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. | | | | 109,850 | a | 806,299 | |
Dana, Inc. | | | | 121,603 | | 1,511,525 | |
Dorman Products, Inc. | | | | 26,990 | a | 2,360,275 | |
Fox Factory Holding Corp. | | | | 40,353 | a | 1,570,539 | |
Gentherm, Inc. | | | | 30,862 | a | 1,560,691 | |
LCI Industries | | | | 23,976 | b | 2,493,024 | |
Patrick Industries, Inc. | | | | 19,939 | | 2,083,426 | |
Phinia, Inc. | | | | 44,783 | | 1,746,537 | |
Standard Motor Products, Inc. | | | | 17,517 | | 562,296 | |
Winnebago Industries, Inc. | | | | 27,554 | b | 1,696,775 | |
XPEL, Inc. | | | | 20,503 | a | 1,077,433 | |
| | | | 17,468,820 | |
Banks - 8.4% | | | | | |
Ameris Bancorp | | | | 61,240 | | 2,907,675 | |
Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. | | | | 84,829 | | 2,695,017 | |
Axos Financial, Inc. | | | | 47,775 | a | 2,417,893 | |
Banc of California, Inc. | | | | 132,877 | | 1,819,086 | |
BancFirst Corp. | | | | 13,690 | | 1,220,737 | |
Bank of Hawaii Corp. | | | | 37,555 | | 2,128,993 | |
BankUnited, Inc. | | | | 70,632 | | 1,887,993 | |
Banner Corp. | | | | 32,620 | | 1,423,211 | |
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 40,052 | | 853,909 | |
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 86,106 | | 714,680 | |
Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. | | | | 113,679 | | 542,249 | |
Cathay General Bancorp | | | | 68,849 | | 2,371,160 | |
Central Pacific Financial Corp. | | | | 25,276 | | 504,003 | |
City Holding Co. | | | | 13,885 | | 1,402,663 | |
Community Bank System, Inc. | | | | 50,453 | | 2,180,579 | |
Customers Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 26,995 | a | 1,232,862 | |
CVB Financial Corp. | | | | 124,423 | | 2,033,072 | |
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. | | | | 34,696 | | 631,467 | |
Eagle Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 28,259 | | 522,509 | |
FB Financial Corp. | | | | 33,562 | | 1,230,047 | |
First BanCorp./NC | | | | 39,569 | | 1,203,293 | |
First BanCorp./Puerto Rico | | | | 159,346 | | 2,748,718 | |
First Commonwealth Financial Corp. | | | | 96,739 | | 1,275,987 | |
First Financial Bancorp | | | | 90,587 | | 2,002,879 | |
First Hawaiian, Inc. | | | | 121,472 | | 2,561,844 | |
Fulton Financial Corp. | | | | 172,091 | | 2,848,106 | |
Hanmi Financial Corp. | | | | 29,642 | | 453,523 | |
5
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Banks - 8.4% (continued) | | | | | |
Heritage Financial Corp. | | | | 33,680 | | 597,483 | |
Hilltop Holdings, Inc. | | | | 43,913 | | 1,284,894 | |
Hope Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 115,246 | | 1,154,765 | |
Independent Bank Corp. | | | | 40,709 | | 2,045,220 | |
Independent Bank Group, Inc. | | | | 34,529 | | 1,285,860 | |
Lakeland Financial Corp. | | | | 24,484 | | 1,438,925 | |
National Bank Holdings Corp., Cl. A | | | | 35,832 | | 1,172,781 | |
NBT Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 45,309 | | 1,586,268 | |
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 37,529 | | 312,992 | |
Northwest Bancshares, Inc. | | | | 120,582 | | 1,278,169 | |
OFG Bancorp | | | | 44,387 | | 1,602,815 | |
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 90,699 | | 1,950,028 | |
Park National Corp. | | | | 13,650 | | 1,797,841 | |
Pathward Financial, Inc. | | | | 24,410 | | 1,229,532 | |
Preferred Bank | | | | 11,794 | | 892,688 | |
Provident Financial Services, Inc. | | | | 71,377 | | 1,047,814 | |
Renasant Corp. | | | | 52,981 | | 1,539,628 | |
S&T Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 36,559 | | 1,102,254 | |
Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida | | | | 79,832 | | 1,841,724 | |
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. | | | | 46,204 | | 2,724,188 | |
Simmons First National Corp., Cl. A | | | | 119,281 | | 2,038,512 | |
Southside Bancshares, Inc. | | | | 27,274 | | 727,125 | |
Stellar Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 44,593 | | 989,965 | |
The Bancorp, Inc. | | | | 50,539 | a | 1,513,138 | |
Tompkins Financial Corp. | | | | 12,111 | | 532,642 | |
Triumph Financial, Inc. | | | | 20,370 | a | 1,433,233 | |
TrustCo Bank Corp. | | | | 17,291 | | 460,286 | |
Trustmark Corp. | | | | 57,712 | | 1,708,275 | |
United Community Banks, Inc. | | | | 113,366 | | 2,860,224 | |
Veritex Holdings, Inc. | | | | 52,468 | | 1,022,077 | |
WaFd, Inc. | | | | 65,004 | | 1,760,958 | |
Westamerica Bancorporation | | | | 25,931 | | 1,207,088 | |
WSFS Financial Corp. | | | | 57,696 | | 2,465,350 | |
| | | | 90,418,897 | |
Capital Goods - 12.3% | | | | | |
3D Systems Corp. | | | | 129,263 | a | 433,031 | |
AAON, Inc. | | | | 63,905 | | 6,012,821 | |
AAR Corp. | | | | 31,373 | a | 2,169,129 | |
AeroVironment, Inc. | | | | 26,472 | a | 4,229,961 | |
Air Lease Corp. | | | | 97,953 | | 4,921,159 | |
Alamo Group, Inc. | | | | 9,915 | | 1,927,278 | |
Albany International Corp., Cl. A | | | | 29,520 | | 2,354,220 | |
American Woodmark Corp. | | | | 15,064 | a | 1,387,093 | |
6
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Capital Goods - 12.3% (continued) | | | | | |
Apogee Enterprises, Inc. | | | | 20,849 | | 1,288,051 | |
Arcosa, Inc. | | | | 46,448 | | 3,530,977 | |
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. | | | | 42,057 | | 4,831,508 | |
Astec Industries, Inc. | | | | 21,574 | | 901,793 | |
AZZ, Inc. | | | | 27,727 | | 1,986,085 | |
Barnes Group, Inc. | | | | 48,089 | | 1,669,650 | |
Boise Cascade Co. | | | | 37,621 | | 4,976,130 | |
DNOW, Inc. | | | | 100,664 | a | 1,420,369 | |
DXP Enterprises, Inc. | | | | 12,416 | a | 605,404 | |
Dycom Industries, Inc. | | | | 27,721 | a | 3,881,494 | |
Encore Wire Corp. | | | | 14,908 | | 4,164,699 | |
Enerpac Tool Group Corp. | | | | 51,510 | a | 1,835,301 | |
EnPro, Inc. | | | | 19,879 | | 2,984,434 | |
ESCO Technologies, Inc. | | | | 24,548 | | 2,490,395 | |
Federal Signal Corp. | | | | 57,639 | | 4,686,051 | |
Franklin Electric Co., Inc. | | | | 37,552 | | 3,615,131 | |
Gibraltar Industries, Inc. | | | | 28,796 | a | 2,057,762 | |
GMS, Inc. | | | | 37,903 | a | 3,506,786 | |
Granite Construction, Inc. | | | | 41,861 | | 2,323,285 | |
Griffon Corp. | | | | 36,294 | | 2,377,983 | |
Hayward Holdings, Inc. | | | | 121,257 | a | 1,646,670 | |
Hillenbrand, Inc. | | | | 66,846 | | 3,189,891 | |
Insteel Industries, Inc. | | | | 18,871 | | 605,759 | |
John Bean Technologies Corp. | | | | 30,349 | | 2,703,792 | |
Kennametal, Inc. | | | | 75,190 | | 1,769,221 | |
Lindsay Corp. | | | | 10,417 | | 1,209,935 | |
Masterbrand, Inc. | | | | 120,422 | a | 2,007,435 | |
Mercury Systems, Inc. | | | | 49,855 | a | 1,405,911 | |
Moog, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 27,202 | | 4,327,022 | |
Mueller Industries, Inc. | | | | 108,110 | | 6,034,700 | |
MYR Group, Inc. | | | | 15,905 | a | 2,644,206 | |
National Presto Industries, Inc. | | | | 4,907 | | 402,325 | |
Powell Industries, Inc. | | | | 8,745 | | 1,250,535 | |
Proto Labs, Inc. | | | | 24,578 | a | 749,137 | |
Quanex Building Products Corp. | | | | 31,369 | | 1,042,078 | |
Resideo Technologies, Inc. | | | | 139,024 | a | 2,715,139 | |
Rush Enterprises, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 58,370 | | 2,563,610 | |
SPX Technologies, Inc. | | | | 43,455 | a | 5,293,254 | |
Standex International Corp. | | | | 11,208 | | 1,937,639 | |
SunPower Corp. | | | | 86,894 | a,b | 179,002 | |
Sunrun, Inc. | | | | 206,087 | a | 2,120,635 | |
Tennant Co. | | | | 17,685 | | 2,059,949 | |
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. | | | | 29,215 | | 1,442,929 | |
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STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Capital Goods - 12.3% (continued) | | | | | |
Titan International, Inc. | | | | 47,808 | a | 526,844 | |
Trinity Industries, Inc. | | | | 77,208 | | 2,008,952 | |
Triumph Group, Inc. | | | | 71,807 | a | 959,342 | |
Vicor Corp. | | | | 21,656 | a | 701,221 | |
Wabash National Corp. | | | | 42,738 | | 987,675 | |
| | | | 133,052,788 | |
Commercial & Professional Services - 3.2% | | | | | |
ABM Industries, Inc. | | | | 59,503 | | 2,600,281 | |
Brady Corp., Cl. A | | | | 42,589 | | 2,512,751 | |
CoreCivic, Inc. | | | | 107,264 | a | 1,598,234 | |
CSG Systems International, Inc. | | | | 26,723 | | 1,262,395 | |
Deluxe Corp. | | | | 41,177 | | 813,246 | |
Enviri Corp. | | | | 76,043 | a | 591,615 | |
Healthcare Services Group, Inc. | | | | 70,074 | a | 744,186 | |
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. | | | | 20,007 | | 589,806 | |
HNI Corp. | | | | 44,112 | | 1,850,498 | |
Interface, Inc. | | | | 54,567 | | 834,329 | |
Kelly Services, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 30,005 | | 688,315 | |
Korn Ferry | | | | 49,786 | | 3,023,006 | |
Liquidity Services, Inc. | | | | 21,180 | a | 365,567 | |
Matthews International Corp., Cl. A | | | | 29,005 | | 782,555 | |
MillerKnoll, Inc. | | | | 69,028 | | 1,755,382 | |
NV5 Global, Inc. | | | | 12,299 | a | 1,146,759 | |
Openlane, Inc. | | | | 102,917 | a | 1,768,114 | |
Pitney Bowes, Inc. | | | | 150,142 | | 639,605 | |
Resources Connection, Inc. | | | | 29,439 | | 325,301 | |
The GEO Group, Inc. | | | | 114,489 | a | 1,701,307 | |
TTEC Holdings, Inc. | | | | 18,483 | | 134,556 | |
UniFirst Corp. | | | | 14,276 | | 2,286,016 | |
Verra Mobility Corp. | | | | 158,294 | a | 3,732,573 | |
Vestis Corp. | | | | 125,167 | | 2,305,576 | |
Viad Corp. | | | | 20,311 | a | 700,323 | |
| | | | 34,752,296 | |
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail - 5.0% | | | | | |
Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Cl. A | | | | 47,765 | a | 5,804,403 | |
Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc. | | | | 70,267 | | 4,096,566 | |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | | | 55,887 | | 4,078,633 | |
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. | | | | 176,000 | | 4,269,760 | |
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. | | | | 19,577 | a | 4,115,868 | |
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. | | | | 28,699 | a | 3,055,583 | |
Caleres, Inc. | | | | 31,527 | | 1,161,139 | |
Designer Brands, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 40,068 | | 372,232 | |
Foot Locker, Inc. | | | | 78,350 | | 1,633,598 | |
8
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Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail - 5.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. | | | | 12,654 | | 3,720,529 | |
Guess?, Inc. | | | | 26,388 | | 706,671 | |
Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc. | | | | 13,222 | | 407,238 | |
Hibbett, Inc. | | | | 11,098 | | 957,092 | |
Kohl's Corp. | | | | 105,421 | | 2,523,779 | |
Leslie's, Inc. | | | | 176,914 | a | 695,272 | |
MarineMax, Inc. | | | | 19,401 | a | 478,623 | |
Monro, Inc. | | | | 28,325 | | 771,856 | |
National Vision Holdings, Inc. | | | | 73,736 | a | 1,284,481 | |
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. | | | | 100,210 | a | 1,087,279 | |
Shoe Carnival, Inc. | | | | 17,312 | | 578,913 | |
Signet Jewelers Ltd. | | | | 42,091 | | 4,126,181 | |
Sonic Automotive, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 13,985 | | 808,892 | |
The Buckle, Inc. | | | | 27,557 | | 1,030,356 | |
The ODP Corp. | | | | 31,488 | a | 1,603,054 | |
Upbound Group, Inc. | | | | 42,609 | | 1,321,305 | |
Urban Outfitters, Inc. | | | | 53,880 | a | 2,099,165 | |
Victoria's Secret & Co. | | | | 73,449 | a | 1,294,171 | |
| | | | 54,082,639 | |
Consumer Durables & Apparel - 5.0% | | | | | |
Cavco Industries, Inc. | | | | 7,318 | a | 2,665,289 | |
Century Communities, Inc. | | | | 26,991 | | 2,140,926 | |
Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc. | | | | 21,109 | | 596,118 | |
G-III Apparel Group Ltd. | | | | 39,065 | a | 1,099,680 | |
Green Brick Partners, Inc. | | | | 24,244 | a | 1,312,328 | |
Hanesbrands, Inc. | | | | 332,364 | a | 1,515,580 | |
Installed Building Products, Inc. | | | | 22,321 | | 5,261,729 | |
Kontoor Brands, Inc. | | | | 47,853 | | 2,969,757 | |
La-Z-Boy, Inc. | | | | 41,080 | | 1,349,067 | |
LGI Homes, Inc. | | | | 19,438 | a | 1,748,059 | |
M/I Homes, Inc. | | | | 26,486 | a | 3,078,203 | |
Meritage Homes Corp. | | | | 34,614 | | 5,736,924 | |
Movado Group, Inc. | | | | 15,234 | | 388,010 | |
Newell Brands, Inc. | | | | 363,532 | | 2,886,444 | |
Oxford Industries, Inc. | | | | 13,887 | | 1,496,741 | |
Sonos, Inc. | | | | 118,045 | a | 1,994,960 | |
Steven Madden Ltd. | | | | 66,404 | | 2,683,386 | |
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc. | | | | 17,179 | | 794,185 | |
Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. | | | | 134,883 | a,b | 2,160,826 | |
Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. | | | | 92,284 | a | 3,400,665 | |
VF Corp. | | | | 315,344 | b | 3,929,186 | |
Vista Outdoor, Inc. | | | | 55,372 | a | 1,943,003 | |
9
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Consumer Durables & Apparel - 5.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. | | | | 74,670 | | 801,956 | |
Worthington Enterprises, Inc. | | | | 29,304 | b | 1,675,017 | |
| | | | 53,628,039 | |
Consumer Services - 3.0% | | | | | |
Adtalem Global Education, Inc. | | | | 37,075 | a | 1,839,661 | |
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. | | | | 21,894 | a | 713,525 | |
Bloomin' Brands, Inc. | | | | 82,275 | | 2,121,872 | |
Brinker International, Inc. | | | | 41,833 | a | 2,242,249 | |
Chuy's Holdings, Inc. | | | | 17,052 | a | 502,352 | |
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. | | | | 20,720 | b | 1,205,697 | |
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. | | | | 30,439 | a | 1,625,443 | |
Dine Brands Global, Inc. | | | | 14,916 | | 657,796 | |
Frontdoor, Inc. | | | | 76,495 | a | 2,347,632 | |
Golden Entertainment, Inc. | | | | 20,155 | | 645,968 | |
Jack in the Box, Inc. | | | | 18,726 | | 1,068,693 | |
Mister Car Wash, Inc. | | | | 85,247 | a,b | 570,302 | |
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. | | | | 12,945 | | 877,283 | |
Papa John's International, Inc. | | | | 31,263 | | 1,928,614 | |
Perdoceo Education Corp. | | | | 61,738 | | 1,129,805 | |
Sabre Corp. | | | | 355,122 | a | 1,019,200 | |
Shake Shack, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 35,711 | a | 3,780,009 | |
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. | | | | 69,444 | a | 1,637,490 | |
Strategic Education, Inc. | | | | 20,645 | | 2,370,872 | |
Stride, Inc. | | | | 37,538 | a | 2,505,661 | |
The Cheesecake Factory, Inc. | | | | 44,566 | b | 1,538,418 | |
| | | | 32,328,542 | |
Consumer Staples Distribution - .5% | | | | | |
PriceSmart, Inc. | | | | 23,748 | | 1,913,851 | |
SpartanNash Co. | | | | 31,659 | | 604,370 | |
The Andersons, Inc. | | | | 30,056 | | 1,651,277 | |
The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. | | | | 33,272 | a | 1,100,638 | |
United Natural Foods, Inc. | | | | 57,238 | a | 511,135 | |
| | | | 5,781,271 | |
Energy - 4.9% | | | | | |
Archrock, Inc. | | | | 128,941 | | 2,474,378 | |
Bristow Group, Inc. | | | | 22,649 | a | 595,895 | |
California Resources Corp. | | | | 61,272 | | 3,238,838 | |
Comstock Resources, Inc. | | | | 86,710 | b | 872,303 | |
CONSOL Energy, Inc. | | | | 25,308 | a | 2,094,490 | |
Core Laboratories, Inc. | | | | 44,066 | | 696,243 | |
CVR Energy, Inc. | | | | 27,182 | | 825,789 | |
Dorian LPG Ltd. | | | | 32,445 | b | 1,340,627 | |
Dril-Quip, Inc. | | | | 32,337 | a | 587,887 | |
10
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Energy - 4.9% (continued) | | | | | |
Green Plains, Inc. | | | | 60,905 | a,b | 1,258,906 | |
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. | | | | 134,166 | a | 1,440,943 | |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | | | | 94,453 | | 3,714,836 | |
Liberty Energy, Inc. | | | | 144,982 | | 3,189,604 | |
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., CI. A | | | | 175,522 | | 4,400,337 | |
Nabors Industries Ltd. | | | | 8,197 | a | 590,430 | |
Northern Oil & Gas, Inc. | | | | 86,829 | | 3,541,755 | |
Oceaneering International, Inc. | | | | 95,884 | a | 2,196,702 | |
Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. | | | | 53,476 | a | 1,647,061 | |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | | | | 305,627 | | 3,306,884 | |
Peabody Energy Corp. | | | | 104,643 | | 2,295,867 | |
ProPetro Holding Corp. | | | | 79,770 | a | 695,594 | |
REX American Resources Corp. | | | | 14,669 | a | 811,636 | |
RPC, Inc. | | | | 80,717 | | 539,997 | |
SM Energy Co. | | | | 110,221 | | 5,344,616 | |
Talos Energy, Inc. | | | | 128,592 | a | 1,694,843 | |
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. | | | | 71,453 | a | 1,102,520 | |
Vital Energy, Inc. | | | | 23,420 | a | 1,241,728 | |
World Kinect Corp. | | | | 57,749 | | 1,357,102 | |
| | | | 53,097,811 | |
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts - 6.9% | | | | | |
Acadia Realty Trust | | | | 96,793 | c | 1,672,583 | |
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. | | | | 70,019 | c | 1,153,213 | |
American Assets Trust, Inc. | | | | 45,807 | c | 977,979 | |
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. | | | | 202,430 | c | 2,987,867 | |
Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc. | | | | 62,577 | c | 658,310 | |
Brandywine Realty Trust | | | | 166,058 | c | 753,903 | |
CareTrust REIT, Inc. | | | | 123,586 | c | 3,055,046 | |
Centerspace | | | | 14,622 | c | 983,330 | |
Chatham Lodging Trust | | | | 45,785 | c | 419,848 | |
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc. | | | | 23,189 | c | 615,204 | |
DiamondRock Hospitality Co. | | | | 198,964 | c | 1,770,780 | |
Douglas Emmett, Inc. | | | | 157,960 | c | 2,165,632 | |
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. | | | | 89,849 | b,c | 1,050,335 | |
Elme Communities | | | | 83,286 | c | 1,262,616 | |
Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | 148,143 | b,c | 3,902,087 | |
Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. | | | | 86,190 | c | 2,021,155 | |
Getty Realty Corp. | | | | 46,284 | c | 1,254,296 | |
Global Net Lease, Inc. | | | | 186,613 | b,c | 1,296,960 | |
Highwoods Properties, Inc. | | | | 100,796 | c | 2,640,855 | |
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. | | | | 119,943 | c | 695,669 | |
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. | | | | 26,586 | c | 2,748,992 | |
JBG SMITH Properties | | | | 83,041 | c | 1,246,445 | |
11
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts - 6.9% (continued) | | | | | |
LTC Properties, Inc. | | | | 39,132 | c | 1,295,269 | |
LXP Industrial Trust | | | | 279,093 | c | 2,330,427 | |
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. | | | | 563,890 | b,c | 2,593,894 | |
NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc. | | | | 21,630 | c | 740,611 | |
Outfront Media, Inc. | | | | 137,843 | c | 2,186,190 | |
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | | | | 114,034 | b,c | 1,656,914 | |
Phillips Edison & Co., Inc. | | | | 116,293 | c | 3,802,781 | |
Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. | | | | 118,589 | c | 1,455,087 | |
Safehold, Inc. | | | | 42,591 | b,c | 776,860 | |
Saul Centers, Inc. | | | | 12,571 | c | 457,710 | |
Service Properties Trust | | | | 158,978 | c | 974,535 | |
SITE Centers Corp. | | | | 170,504 | c | 2,300,099 | |
SL Green Realty Corp. | | | | 61,599 | c | 3,069,478 | |
Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. | | | | 105,266 | c | 632,649 | |
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. | | | | 193,873 | c | 1,977,505 | |
Tanger, Inc. | | | | 101,950 | c | 2,890,282 | |
The Macerich Company | | | | 205,144 | c | 2,822,781 | |
Uniti Group, Inc. | | | | 225,852 | c | 1,298,649 | |
Universal Health Realty Income Trust | | | | 12,357 | c | 445,223 | |
Urban Edge Properties | | | | 111,826 | c | 1,870,849 | |
Veris Residential, Inc. | | | | 75,626 | c | 1,089,771 | |
Whitestone REIT | | | | 44,955 | c | 516,983 | |
Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | | 101,006 | c | 1,400,953 | |
| | | | 73,918,605 | |
Financial Services - 6.7% | | | | | |
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. | | | | 122,880 | b,c | 1,183,334 | |
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | 178,120 | b,c | 2,285,280 | |
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. | | | | 46,978 | c | 853,590 | |
Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 64,759 | | 2,650,586 | |
B. Riley Financial, Inc. | | | | 15,878 | b | 546,203 | |
BGC Group, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 364,795 | | 2,856,345 | |
Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 164,564 | b,c | 2,902,909 | |
Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. | | | | 46,440 | | 1,714,100 | |
Brightsphere Investment Group, Inc. | | | | 30,503 | | 678,387 | |
Cohen & Steers, Inc. | | | | 24,335 | | 1,673,761 | |
Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. | | | | 23,513 | a | 1,476,146 | |
Ellington Financial, Inc. | | | | 74,644 | b,c | 853,927 | |
Encore Capital Group, Inc. | | | | 22,391 | a | 920,046 | |
Enova International, Inc. | | | | 27,449 | a | 1,661,488 | |
EVERTEC, Inc. | | | | 61,458 | | 2,306,519 | |
EZCORP, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 49,074 | a | 538,833 | |
12
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Financial Services - 6.7% (continued) | | | | | |
Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. | | | | 78,364 | c | 978,766 | |
Green Dot Corp., Cl. A | | | | 43,414 | a | 379,873 | |
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. | | | | 106,491 | b | 2,663,340 | |
Jackson Financial, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 67,202 | | 4,591,241 | |
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. | | | | 52,776 | c | 496,622 | |
Moelis & Co., Cl. A | | | | 62,867 | | 3,085,512 | |
Mr. Cooper Group, Inc. | | | | 61,405 | a | 4,740,466 | |
Navient Corp. | | | | 78,718 | | 1,182,344 | |
NCR Atleos Corp. | | | | 63,706 | a | 1,269,661 | |
New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. | | | | 87,589 | b,c | 599,985 | |
NMI Holdings, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 76,557 | a | 2,362,549 | |
Payoneer Global, Inc. | | | | 246,192 | a | 1,216,188 | |
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust | | | | 83,242 | c | 1,152,902 | |
Piper Sandler Cos. | | | | 14,484 | | 2,835,822 | |
PJT Partners, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 21,235 | | 2,006,495 | |
PRA Group, Inc. | | | | 36,492 | a | 868,145 | |
PROG Holdings, Inc. | | | | 42,569 | | 1,414,994 | |
Radian Group, Inc. | | | | 145,953 | | 4,359,616 | |
Ready Capital Corp. | | | | 149,511 | b,c | 1,273,834 | |
Redwood Trust, Inc. | | | | 126,588 | b,c | 700,032 | |
StoneX Group, Inc. | | | | 25,547 | a | 1,854,712 | |
Two Harbors Investment Corp. | | | | 97,705 | c | 1,234,014 | |
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. | | | | 6,377 | | 1,398,604 | |
Walker & Dunlop, Inc. | | | | 31,893 | | 2,922,356 | |
WisdomTree, Inc. | | | | 104,819 | | 932,889 | |
World Acceptance Corp. | | | | 3,316 | a | 456,182 | |
| | | | 72,078,598 | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco - 1.8% | | | | | |
B&G Foods, Inc. | | | | 74,361 | | 825,407 | |
Calavo Growers, Inc. | | | | 17,207 | | 463,729 | |
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. | | | | 38,666 | | 2,139,390 | |
Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. | | | | 31,791 | | 812,896 | |
J&J Snack Foods Corp. | | | | 14,723 | | 2,021,321 | |
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. | | | | 8,466 | a | 844,060 | |
MGP Ingredients, Inc. | | | | 14,784 | | 1,159,657 | |
National Beverage Corp. | | | | 21,876 | a | 973,482 | |
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. | | | | 86,801 | a | 532,958 | |
The Simply Good Foods Company | | | | 86,655 | a | 3,158,575 | |
Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | | | | 17,029 | | 505,932 | |
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | | | | 47,609 | a | 1,787,718 | |
Universal Corp. | | | | 23,329 | | 1,199,810 | |
Vector Group Ltd. | | | | 125,805 | | 1,302,082 | |
13
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco - 1.8% (continued) | | | | | |
WK Kellogg Co. | | | | 62,971 | | 1,469,743 | |
| | | | 19,196,760 | |
Health Care Equipment & Services - 6.3% | | | | | |
AdaptHealth Corp. | | | | 76,920 | a | 757,662 | |
Addus HomeCare Corp. | | | | 15,019 | a | 1,444,077 | |
Agiliti, Inc. | | | | 32,385 | a | 328,708 | |
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. | | | | 35,827 | a | 2,148,903 | |
Artivion, Inc. | | | | 36,770 | a | 721,427 | |
Astrana Health, Inc. | | | | 39,934 | a | 1,483,548 | |
Avanos Medical, Inc. | | | | 43,722 | a | 790,494 | |
Certara, Inc. | | | | 102,090 | a | 1,746,760 | |
CONMED Corp. | | | | 29,414 | | 1,999,564 | |
CorVel Corp. | | | | 8,654 | a | 2,067,008 | |
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. | | | | 31,628 | a | 556,653 | |
Embecta Corp. | | | | 55,360 | | 560,797 | |
Enhabit, Inc. | | | | 46,322 | a | 467,389 | |
Fulgent Genetics, Inc. | | | | 18,525 | a | 376,984 | |
Glaukos Corp. | | | | 46,654 | a | 4,478,784 | |
HealthStream, Inc. | | | | 22,211 | | 572,377 | |
ICU Medical, Inc. | | | | 19,072 | a | 1,867,530 | |
Inari Medical, Inc. | | | | 48,882 | a | 1,825,254 | |
Integer Holdings Corp. | | | | 31,817 | a | 3,551,732 | |
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. | | | | 18,893 | | 1,224,266 | |
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. | | | | 55,137 | a | 4,085,652 | |
National HealthCare Corp. | | | | 12,818 | | 1,164,772 | |
NeoGenomics, Inc. | | | | 120,342 | a | 1,675,161 | |
Omnicell, Inc. | | | | 43,069 | a | 1,154,680 | |
OraSure Technologies, Inc. | | | | 67,668 | a | 357,964 | |
Owens & Minor, Inc. | | | | 72,910 | a | 1,803,793 | |
Patterson Cos., Inc. | | | | 78,172 | | 1,991,041 | |
Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. | | | | 80,819 | a | 716,865 | |
Premier, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 113,406 | | 2,367,917 | |
Privia Health Group, Inc. | | | | 96,880 | a,b | 1,782,592 | |
RadNet, Inc. | | | | 61,504 | a | 2,982,944 | |
Schrodinger, Inc. | | | | 52,271 | a | 1,274,367 | |
Select Medical Holdings Corp. | | | | 100,908 | | 2,862,760 | |
Simulations Plus, Inc. | | | | 15,192 | | 688,957 | |
STAAR Surgical Co. | | | | 46,275 | a | 2,126,799 | |
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. | | | | 62,030 | a | 2,275,881 | |
The Ensign Group, Inc. | | | | 53,282 | | 6,306,458 | |
U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. | | | | 14,118 | | 1,433,118 | |
UFP Technologies, Inc. | | | | 6,770 | a | 1,394,214 | |
14
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Health Care Equipment & Services - 6.3% (continued) | | | | | |
Varex Imaging Corp. | | | | 38,556 | a | 626,535 | |
| | | | 68,042,387 | |
Household & Personal Products - 1.1% | | | | | |
Central Garden & Pet Co. | | | | 8,758 | a,b | 358,640 | |
Central Garden & Pet Co., Cl. A | | | | 51,112 | a | 1,810,898 | |
Edgewell Personal Care Co. | | | | 47,197 | | 1,775,551 | |
Energizer Holdings, Inc. | | | | 62,617 | | 1,798,360 | |
Inter Parfums, Inc. | | | | 16,903 | | 1,967,171 | |
Medifast, Inc. | | | | 10,111 | | 278,356 | |
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 47,531 | | 558,965 | |
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. | | | | 10,378 | a | 430,895 | |
WD-40 Co. | | | | 12,890 | | 2,914,816 | |
| | | | 11,893,652 | |
Insurance - 2.7% | | | | | |
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. | | | | 41,671 | a | 602,146 | |
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. | | | | 59,294 | | 3,326,986 | |
AMERISAFE, Inc. | | | | 18,165 | | 828,324 | |
Assured Guaranty Ltd. | | | | 51,790 | | 3,972,293 | |
Employers Holdings, Inc. | | | | 24,425 | | 1,040,261 | |
Genworth Financial, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 430,406 | a | 2,552,308 | |
Goosehead Insurance, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 22,923 | a | 1,304,548 | |
HCI Group, Inc. | | | | 6,378 | b | 728,240 | |
Horace Mann Educators Corp. | | | | 39,525 | | 1,456,892 | |
Lincoln National Corp. | | | | 161,472 | | 4,403,341 | |
Mercury General Corp. | | | | 25,346 | | 1,324,582 | |
Palomar Holdings, Inc. | | | | 23,422 | a | 1,842,609 | |
ProAssurance Corp. | | | | 46,616 | a | 622,790 | |
Safety Insurance Group, Inc. | | | | 14,366 | | 1,143,103 | |
SiriusPoint Ltd. | | | | 85,603 | a | 1,008,403 | |
Stewart Information Services Corp. | | | | 26,293 | | 1,630,429 | |
Trupanion, Inc. | | | | 33,627 | a,b | 756,608 | |
United Fire Group, Inc. | | | | 20,080 | | 443,567 | |
| | | | 28,987,430 | |
Materials - 6.1% | | | | | |
AdvanSix, Inc. | | | | 26,023 | | 657,341 | |
Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. | | | | 11,174 | | 3,655,239 | |
Arch Resources, Inc. | | | | 17,303 | b | 2,747,370 | |
ATI, Inc. | | | | 120,833 | a | 7,213,730 | |
Balchem Corp. | | | | 30,673 | | 4,336,549 | |
Carpenter Technology Corp. | | | | 47,013 | | 4,029,014 | |
Century Aluminum Co. | | | | 49,381 | a | 856,760 | |
Clearwater Paper Corp. | | | | 16,024 | a | 721,721 | |
15
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Materials - 6.1% (continued) | | | | | |
Compass Minerals International, Inc. | | | | 30,217 | | 376,202 | |
H.B. Fuller Co. | | | | 51,327 | | 3,834,640 | |
Hawkins, Inc. | | | | 18,282 | | 1,385,227 | |
Haynes International, Inc. | | | | 11,797 | | 709,590 | |
Ingevity Corp. | | | | 32,055 | a | 1,639,293 | |
Innospec, Inc. | | | | 23,623 | | 2,834,760 | |
Kaiser Aluminum Corp. | | | | 15,317 | | 1,386,035 | |
Koppers Holdings, Inc. | | | | 19,659 | | 1,008,114 | |
Materion Corp. | | | | 19,617 | | 2,254,778 | |
Mativ Holdings, Inc. | | | | 50,997 | | 931,205 | |
Mercer International, Inc. | | | | 42,430 | | 429,816 | |
Metallus, Inc. | | | | 35,810 | a | 736,254 | |
Minerals Technologies, Inc. | | | | 31,114 | | 2,267,899 | |
Myers Industries, Inc. | | | | 35,257 | | 772,128 | |
O-I Glass, Inc. | | | | 146,745 | a | 2,195,305 | |
Olympic Steel, Inc. | | | | 9,318 | | 592,345 | |
Quaker Chemical Corp. | | | | 13,116 | | 2,446,527 | |
Sealed Air Corp. | | | | 136,983 | | 4,312,225 | |
Sensient Technologies Corp. | | | | 39,829 | | 2,916,279 | |
Stepan Co. | | | | 20,204 | | 1,676,730 | |
SunCoke Energy, Inc. | | | | 78,859 | | 813,036 | |
Sylvamo Corp. | | | | 33,352 | | 2,084,500 | |
Warrior Met Coal, Inc. | | | | 49,847 | | 3,407,042 | |
Worthington Steel, Inc. | | | | 29,061 | | 894,788 | |
| | | | 66,122,442 | |
Media & Entertainment - 2.1% | | | | | |
AMC Networks, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 29,046 | a | 308,468 | |
Cable One, Inc. | | | | 4,326 | | 1,703,795 | |
CarGurus, Inc. | | | | 81,847 | a | 1,838,284 | |
Cars.com, Inc. | | | | 58,013 | a | 969,397 | |
Cinemark Holdings, Inc. | | | | 100,290 | a | 1,718,971 | |
EchoStar Corp., Cl. A | | | | 114,216 | a,b | 1,826,314 | |
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 39,616 | | 1,488,373 | |
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. | | | | 15,865 | a | 2,949,621 | |
QuinStreet, Inc. | | | | 49,477 | a | 895,039 | |
Scholastic Corp. | | | | 24,896 | | 886,796 | |
Shutterstock, Inc. | | | | 22,343 | | 954,270 | |
TechTarget, Inc. | | | | 24,689 | a | 678,948 | |
The Marcus Corp. | | | | 23,883 | | 311,434 | |
Thryv Holdings, Inc. | | | | 29,209 | a | 672,099 | |
TripAdvisor, Inc. | | | | 103,044 | a | 2,713,149 | |
Yelp, Inc. | | | | 65,331 | a | 2,628,919 | |
| | | | 22,543,877 | |
16
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences - 3.6% | | | | | |
Alkermes PLC | | | | 158,102 | a | 3,879,823 | |
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 35,602 | a | 1,468,583 | |
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 14,446 | a | 953,436 | |
Arcus Biosciences, Inc. | | | | 50,928 | a,b | 775,633 | |
BioLife Solutions, Inc. | | | | 33,972 | a,b | 595,869 | |
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 105,035 | a | 1,580,777 | |
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. | | | | 30,929 | a | 1,142,208 | |
Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. | | | | 85,896 | a | 2,003,095 | |
Cytek Biosciences, Inc. | | | | 91,301 | a,b | 548,719 | |
Dynavax Technologies Corp. | | | | 122,940 | a | 1,397,828 | |
Fortrea Holdings, Inc. | | | | 84,446 | a | 3,089,879 | |
Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. | | | | 31,704 | a | 979,971 | |
Innoviva, Inc. | | | | 53,549 | a | 809,125 | |
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 129,685 | a | 1,005,059 | |
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 15,663 | a | 1,094,687 | |
Mesa Laboratories, Inc. | | | | 4,909 | | 520,747 | |
Myriad Genetics, Inc. | | | | 84,346 | a | 1,650,651 | |
Organon & Co. | | | | 243,538 | | 4,532,242 | |
Pacira Biosciences, Inc. | | | | 43,984 | a | 1,154,580 | |
Phibro Animal Health Corp., Cl. A | | | | 18,433 | | 307,831 | |
Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc. | | | | 47,234 | a | 3,389,512 | |
REGENXBIO, Inc. | | | | 37,263 | a | 571,987 | |
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | | | | 52,325 | a | 1,574,983 | |
Vericel Corp. | | | | 45,437 | a | 2,084,195 | |
Vir Biotechnology, Inc. | | | | 83,771 | a | 708,703 | |
Xencor, Inc. | | | | 57,581 | a | 1,205,746 | |
| | | | 39,025,869 | |
Real Estate Management & Development - .6% | | | | | |
Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. | | | | 103,432 | a | 502,680 | |
Cushman & Wakefield PLC | | | | 160,059 | a | 1,544,569 | |
eXp World Holdings, Inc. | | | | 72,863 | b | 725,715 | |
Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. | | | | 114,224 | | 981,184 | |
Marcus & Millichap, Inc. | | | | 22,988 | | 728,030 | |
The St. Joe Company | | | | 33,725 | | 1,929,070 | |
| | | | 6,411,248 | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 2.9% | | | | | |
Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd. | | | | 22,232 | a | 486,214 | |
Axcelis Technologies, Inc. | | | | 31,061 | a | 3,215,435 | |
CEVA, Inc. | | | | 22,683 | a | 459,784 | |
Cohu, Inc. | | | | 44,635 | a | 1,353,333 | |
Diodes, Inc. | | | | 43,597 | a | 3,183,017 | |
FormFactor, Inc. | | | | 74,174 | a | 3,307,419 | |
Ichor Holdings Ltd. | | | | 27,734 | a | 1,075,525 | |
17
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 2.9% (continued) | | | | | |
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. | | | | 53,574 | | 2,479,405 | |
MaxLinear, Inc. | | | | 71,044 | a | 1,477,005 | |
PDF Solutions, Inc. | | | | 28,605 | a | 860,438 | |
Photronics, Inc. | | | | 59,040 | a | 1,618,286 | |
Semtech Corp. | | | | 60,803 | a,b | 2,287,409 | |
SiTime Corp. | | | | 16,726 | a | 1,490,621 | |
SMART Global Holdings, Inc. | | | | 47,895 | a | 875,042 | |
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. | | | | 53,996 | a,b | 3,166,865 | |
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. | | | | 42,424 | a | 1,774,596 | |
Veeco Instruments, Inc. | | | | 53,601 | a | 1,894,259 | |
| | | | 31,004,653 | |
Software & Services - 4.2% | | | | | |
A10 Networks, Inc. | | | | 65,332 | | 853,236 | |
ACI Worldwide, Inc. | | | | 103,661 | a | 3,534,840 | |
Adeia, Inc. | | | | 100,497 | | 988,890 | |
Agilysys, Inc. | | | | 19,182 | a | 1,593,065 | |
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. | | | | 47,538 | a | 3,161,277 | |
BlackLine, Inc. | | | | 48,507 | a | 2,815,831 | |
Box, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 136,158 | a | 3,542,831 | |
Cerence, Inc. | | | | 40,444 | a | 368,445 | |
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. | | | | 132,192 | a | 3,873,226 | |
DXC Technology Co. | | | | 174,024 | a | 3,391,728 | |
Envestnet, Inc. | | | | 46,958 | a | 2,914,683 | |
InterDigital, Inc. | | | | 24,392 | | 2,408,222 | |
Liveramp Holdings, Inc. | | | | 62,494 | a | 2,006,682 | |
N-Able, Inc. | | | | 66,053 | a | 809,810 | |
NCR Voyix Corp. | | | | 127,123 | a | 1,557,257 | |
Perficient, Inc. | | | | 32,662 | a | 1,543,606 | |
Progress Software Corp. | | | | 42,017 | | 2,093,287 | |
Sprinklr, Inc., CI. A | | | | 113,129 | a,b | 1,322,478 | |
SPS Commerce, Inc. | | | | 34,864 | a | 6,061,804 | |
Xperi, Inc. | | | | 40,736 | a | 428,135 | |
| | | | 45,269,333 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment - 5.1% | | | | | |
ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. | | | | 65,305 | a | 286,036 | |
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | | | | 35,412 | | 3,393,886 | |
Arlo Technologies, Inc. | | | | 89,957 | a | 1,113,668 | |
Badger Meter, Inc. | | | | 27,862 | | 5,096,517 | |
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. | | | | 34,020 | | 1,027,744 | |
Calix, Inc. | | | | 55,063 | a | 1,526,897 | |
Corsair Gaming, Inc. | | | | 41,243 | a | 457,797 | |
CTS Corp. | | | | 29,905 | | 1,368,154 | |
18
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment - 5.1% (continued) | | | | | |
Digi International, Inc. | | | | 34,802 | a | 1,067,029 | |
ePlus, Inc. | | | | 25,347 | a | 1,948,677 | |
Extreme Networks, Inc. | | | | 122,648 | a | 1,373,658 | |
Fabrinet | | | | 34,416 | a | 5,956,377 | |
Harmonic, Inc. | | | | 107,508 | a | 1,154,636 | |
Insight Enterprises, Inc. | | | | 26,246 | a | 4,791,732 | |
Itron, Inc. | | | | 43,463 | a | 4,003,812 | |
Knowles Corp. | | | | 85,523 | a | 1,353,829 | |
Methode Electronics, Inc. | | | | 32,693 | | 398,528 | |
NETSCOUT Systems, Inc. | | | | 68,077 | a | 1,311,163 | |
OSI Systems, Inc. | | | | 14,790 | a | 1,943,998 | |
PC Connection, Inc. | | | | 10,550 | | 653,784 | |
Plexus Corp. | | | | 26,171 | a | 2,643,533 | |
Rogers Corp. | | | | 16,088 | a | 1,915,920 | |
Sanmina Corp. | | | | 52,995 | a | 3,215,207 | |
ScanSource, Inc. | | | | 24,195 | a | 1,006,996 | |
TTM Technologies, Inc. | | | | 97,779 | a | 1,459,840 | |
Viasat, Inc. | | | | 71,544 | a | 1,138,265 | |
Viavi Solutions, Inc. | | | | 211,128 | a | 1,667,911 | |
Xerox Holdings Corp. | | | | 108,097 | | 1,436,609 | |
| | | | 54,712,203 | |
Telecommunication Services - .6% | | | | | |
ATN International, Inc. | | | | 9,635 | | 183,836 | |
Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. | | | | 40,036 | b | 2,569,510 | |
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. | | | | 67,290 | a | 290,693 | |
Gogo, Inc. | | | | 59,106 | a | 535,500 | |
Lumen Technologies, Inc. | | | | 965,506 | a | 1,148,952 | |
Shenandoah Telecommunications Co. | | | | 48,120 | | 616,898 | |
Telephone & Data Systems, Inc. | | | | 92,468 | | 1,447,124 | |
| | | | 6,792,513 | |
Transportation - 2.2% | | | | | |
Alaska Air Group, Inc. | | | | 119,707 | a | 5,149,795 | |
Allegiant Travel Co. | | | | 13,474 | | 735,141 | |
ArcBest Corp. | | | | 22,378 | | 2,481,944 | |
Forward Air Corp. | | | | 28,910 | | 636,598 | |
Heartland Express, Inc. | | | | 42,979 | | 427,211 | |
Hub Group, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 59,412 | | 2,389,551 | |
JetBlue Airways Corp. | | | | 315,449 | a | 1,791,750 | |
Marten Transport Ltd. | | | | 54,153 | | 916,269 | |
Matson, Inc. | | | | 32,997 | | 3,556,417 | |
RXO, Inc. | | | | 111,653 | a | 2,111,358 | |
SkyWest, Inc. | | | | 39,014 | a | 2,849,192 | |
19
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 99.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Transportation - 2.2% (continued) | | | | | |
Sun Country Airlines Holdings, Inc. | | | | 36,848 | a | 490,447 | |
| | | | 23,535,673 | |
Utilities - 2.2% | | | | | |
American States Water Co. | | | | 34,896 | | 2,472,033 | |
Avista Corp. | | | | 73,348 | | 2,639,061 | |
California Water Service Group | | | | 54,621 | | 2,682,984 | |
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. | | | | 21,008 | | 2,224,117 | |
Clearway Energy, Inc., Cl. A | | | | 32,614 | | 708,050 | |
Clearway Energy, Inc., Cl. C | | | | 78,251 | | 1,829,508 | |
MGE Energy, Inc. | | | | 34,401 | | 2,694,286 | |
Middlesex Water Co. | | | | 17,364 | | 880,702 | |
Northwest Natural Holding Co. | | | | 34,741 | | 1,325,369 | |
Otter Tail Corp. | | | | 39,931 | | 3,408,510 | |
SJW Group | | | | 27,843 | | 1,516,051 | |
Unitil Corp. | | | | 15,252 | | 776,937 | |
| | | | 23,157,608 | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $755,165,088) | | | | 1,067,303,954 | |
| | | | | | | |
Exchange-Traded Funds - .5% | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies - .5% | | | | | |
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (cost $5,218,487) | | | | 51,344 | | 5,359,800 | |
| | | | Number of Rights | | | |
Rights - .0% | | | | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences - .0% | | | | | |
Omniab Operations, Inc.-Earnout 12.5 | | | | 9,476 | d | 0 | |
Omniab Operations, Inc.-Earnout 15.0 | | | | 9,476 | d | 0 | |
Total Rights (cost $33,892) | | | | | | 0 | |
| | 1-Day Yield (%) | | Shares | | | |
Investment Companies - .3% | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies - .3% | | | | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares (cost $3,123,376) | | 5.41 | | 3,123,376 | e | 3,123,376 | |
20
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | 1-Day Yield (%) | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Investment of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned - .7% | | | | | |
Registered Investment Companies - .7% | | | | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares (cost $7,233,657) | | 5.41 | | 7,233,657 | e | 7,233,657 | |
Total Investments (cost $770,774,500) | | 100.5% | | 1,083,020,787 | |
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables | | (.5%) | | (5,376,067) | |
Net Assets | | 100.0% | | 1,077,644,720 | |
ETF—Exchange-Traded Fund
REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust
a Non-income producing security.
b Security, or portion thereof, on loan. At April 30, 2024, the value of the fund’s securities on loan was $46,815,524 and the value of the collateral was $49,052,662, consisting of cash collateral of $7,233,657 and U.S. Government & Agency securities valued at $41,819,005. In addition, the value of collateral may include pending sales that are also on loan.
c Investment in real estate investment trust within the United States.
d The fund held Level 3 securities at April 30, 2024. These securities were valued at $0 or .0% of net assets.
e Investment in affiliated issuer. The investment objective of this investment company is publicly available and can be found within the investment company’s prospectus.
| |
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited) † | Value (%) |
Financials | 17.8 |
Industrials | 17.8 |
Consumer Discretionary | 14.6 |
Information Technology | 12.2 |
Health Care | 9.9 |
Real Estate | 7.5 |
Materials | 6.1 |
Energy | 4.9 |
Consumer Staples | 3.4 |
Communication Services | 2.7 |
Utilities | 2.1 |
Investment Companies | 1.5 |
| 100.5 |
† Based on net assets.
See notes to financial statements.
21
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | |
Affiliated Issuers | | | |
Description | Value ($) 10/31/2023 | Purchases ($)† | Sales ($) | Value ($) 4/30/2024 | Dividends/ Distributions ($) | |
Registered Investment Companies - .3% | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares - .3% | 1,123,655 | 50,232,850 | (48,233,129) | 3,123,376 | 67,353 | |
Investment of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned - .7% | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares - .7% | 11,687,453 | 73,821,214 | (78,275,010) | 7,233,657 | 178,136 | †† |
Total - 1.0% | 12,811,108 | 124,054,064 | (126,508,139) | 10,357,033 | 245,489 | |
† Includes reinvested dividends/distributions.
†† Represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.
See notes to financial statements.
| | | | | | |
Futures | | | |
Description | Number of Contracts | Expiration | Notional Value ($) | Market Value ($) | Unrealized (Depreciation) ($) | |
Futures Long | | |
E-mini Russell 2000 | 54 | 6/21/2024 | 5,694,603 | 5,361,120 | (333,483) | |
Gross Unrealized Depreciation | | (333,483) | |
See notes to financial statements.
22
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | Cost | | Value | |
Assets ($): | | | | |
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments (including securities on loan, valued at $46,815,524)—Note 1(c): | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | 760,417,467 | | 1,072,663,754 | |
Affiliated issuers | | 10,357,033 | | 10,357,033 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | 6,341,229 | |
Dividends and securities lending income receivable | | 701,130 | |
Cash collateral held by broker—Note 4 | | 392,000 | |
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed | | 311,875 | |
| | | | | 1,090,767,021 | |
Liabilities ($): | | | | |
Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates—Note 3(b) | | 400,995 | |
Cash overdraft due to Custodian | | | | | 29 | |
Liability for securities on loan—Note 1(c) | | 7,233,657 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | 4,486,887 | |
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed | | 802,698 | |
Payable for futures variation margin—Note 4 | | 112,050 | |
Directors’ fees and expenses payable | | 85,985 | |
| | | | | 13,122,301 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 1,077,644,720 | |
Composition of Net Assets ($): | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | | | 681,575,693 | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | | | | | 396,069,027 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 1,077,644,720 | |
| | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | Investor Shares | Class I | |
Net Assets ($) | 854,826,471 | 222,818,249 | |
Shares Outstanding | 34,157,634 | 8,933,778 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share ($) | 25.03 | 24.94 | |
| | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | |
23
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Investment Income ($): | | | | |
Income: | | | | |
Cash dividends (net of $8,330 foreign taxes withheld at source): | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 11,269,351 | |
Affiliated issuers | | | 67,353 | |
Income from securities lending—Note 1(c) | | | 178,136 | |
Interest | | | 23,054 | |
Total Income | | | 11,537,894 | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Management fee—Note 3(a) | | | 1,417,502 | |
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b) | | | 1,126,999 | |
Interest expense—Note 2 | | | 30,210 | |
Directors’ fees—Note 3(a,c) | | | 20,620 | |
Loan commitment fees—Note 2 | | | 12,270 | |
Total Expenses | | | 2,607,601 | |
Less—Directors’ fees reimbursed by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.—Note 3(a) | | | (20,620) | |
Net Expenses | | | 2,586,981 | |
Net Investment Income | | | 8,950,913 | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($): | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | 92,088,359 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on futures | 900,870 | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) | | | 92,989,229 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | 87,707,565 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures | 227,528 | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | 87,935,093 | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | | | 180,924,322 | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | 189,875,235 | |
| | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | |
24
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (Unaudited) | | Year Ended October 31, 2023 | |
Operations ($): | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 8,950,913 | | | | 17,407,967 | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | 92,989,229 | | | | 95,284,235 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 87,935,093 | | | | (208,355,237) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 189,875,235 | | | | (95,663,035) | |
Distributions ($): | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | (85,214,975) | | | | (128,234,182) | |
Class I | | | (22,526,163) | | | | (34,726,177) | |
Total Distributions | | | (107,741,138) | | | | (162,960,359) | |
Capital Stock Transactions ($): | |
Net proceeds from shares sold: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | 27,477,136 | | | | 76,106,504 | |
Class I | | | 19,316,072 | | | | 53,324,988 | |
Distributions reinvested: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | 84,450,762 | | | | 127,189,819 | |
Class I | | | 19,999,338 | | | | 28,451,242 | |
Cost of shares redeemed: | | | | | | | | |
Investor Shares | | | (171,259,078) | | | | (259,949,732) | |
Class I | | | (56,445,780) | | | | (102,144,416) | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Stock Transactions | (76,461,550) | | | | (77,021,595) | |
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | 5,672,547 | | | | (335,644,989) | |
Net Assets ($): | |
Beginning of Period | | | 1,071,972,173 | | | | 1,407,617,162 | |
End of Period | | | 1,077,644,720 | | | | 1,071,972,173 | |
Capital Share Transactions (Shares): | |
Investor Sharesa | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,077,011 | | | | 2,958,940 | |
Shares issued for distributions reinvested | | | 3,274,554 | | | | 5,202,037 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (6,713,247) | | | | (10,150,454) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (2,361,682) | | | | (1,989,477) | |
Class Ia | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 761,734 | | | | 2,091,461 | |
Shares issued for distributions reinvested | | | 778,791 | | | | 1,168,429 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (2,221,041) | | | | (3,978,471) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (680,516) | | | | (718,581) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
a | During the period ended October 31, 2023, 223 Investor shares representing $5,457 were exchanged for 224 Class I shares. | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | | | | |
25
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated. All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share. Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. Net asset value total return includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.
| | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
April 30, 2024 | Year Ended October 31, |
Investor Shares | (Unaudited) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 23.24 | 28.82 | 36.44 | 24.77 | 29.19 | 32.18 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Net investment incomea | .19 | .34 | .30 | .27 | .25 | .30 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 4.05 | (2.52) | (4.32) | 13.63 | (2.27) | .05 |
Total from Investment Operations | 4.24 | (2.18) | (4.02) | 13.90 | (2.02) | .35 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | (.37) | (.34) | (.30) | (.27) | (.33) | (.29) |
Dividends from net realized gain on investments | (2.08) | (3.06) | (3.30) | (1.96) | (2.07) | (3.05) |
Total Distributions | (2.45) | (3.40) | (3.60) | (2.23) | (2.40) | (3.34) |
Net asset value, end of period | 25.03 | 23.24 | 28.82 | 36.44 | 24.77 | 29.19 |
Total Return (%) | 17.93b | (8.13) | (12.29) | 58.22 | (8.01) | 2.83 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | .51c | .51 | .51 | .51 | .52 | .51 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | .51c | .50 | .50 | .50 | .50 | .50 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 1.53c | 1.30 | .99 | .79 | 1.00 | 1.03 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 21.78b | 37.96 | 25.75 | 26.70 | 40.49 | 23.24 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 854,826 | 848,876 | 1,110,002 | 1,519,919 | 1,159,850 | 1,717,003 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Not annualized.
c Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
26
| | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
April 30, 2024 | Year Ended October 31, |
Class I Shares | (Unaudited) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 23.20 | 28.80 | 36.43 | 24.76 | 29.19 | 32.21 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Net investment incomea | .22 | .40 | .38 | .35 | .29 | .37 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 4.05 | (2.51) | (4.32) | 13.62 | (2.24) | .03 |
Total from Investment Operations | 4.27 | (2.11) | (3.94) | 13.97 | (1.95) | .40 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | (.45) | (.43) | (.39) | (.34) | (.41) | (.37) |
Dividends from net realized gain on investments | (2.08) | (3.06) | (3.30) | (1.96) | (2.07) | (3.05) |
Total Distributions | (2.53) | (3.49) | (3.69) | (2.30) | (2.48) | (3.42) |
Net asset value, end of period | 24.94 | 23.20 | 28.80 | 36.43 | 24.76 | 29.19 |
Total Return (%) | 18.05b | (7.90) | (12.08) | 58.63 | (7.79) | 3.08 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | .26c | .26 | .26 | .26 | .27 | .26 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | .26c | .25 | .25 | .25 | .25 | .25 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 1.78c | 1.55 | 1.24 | 1.03 | 1.17 | 1.28 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 21.78b | 37.96 | 25.75 | 26.70 | 40.49 | 23.24 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 222,818 | 223,096 | 297,615 | 413,833 | 270,454 | 258,282 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Not annualized.
c Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
27
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:
BNY Mellon Smallcap Stock Index Fund (the “fund”) is a separate diversified series of BNY Mellon Index Funds, Inc. (the “Company”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company and operates as a series company currently offering three series, including the fund. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to match the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600® Index. BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser.
BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge. The fund is authorized to issue 300 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock. The fund currently has authorized two classes of shares: Investor shares (200 million shares authorized) and Class I (100 million shares authorized). Investor shares are sold primarily to retail investors through financial intermediaries and bear Shareholder Services Plan fees. Class I shares are sold primarily to bank trust departments and other financial service providers (including BNY Mellon and its affiliates), acting on behalf of customers having a qualified trust or an investment account or relationship at such institution, and bear no Shareholder Services Plan fees. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.
The Company accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund is an investment company and applies the accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. The fund’s
28
financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.
(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, 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 methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has designated the Adviser as the fund’s valuation designee to make all fair value
29
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
determinations with respect to the fund’s portfolio investments, subject to the Board’s oversight and pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act.
Investments in equity securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities are primarily traded. Securities listed on the National Market System for which market quotations are available are valued at the official closing price or, if there is no official closing price that day, at the last sales price. For open short positions, asked prices are used for valuation purposes. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Registered investment companies that are not traded on an exchange are valued at their net asset value. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Securities not listed on an exchange or the national securities market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. These securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Fair valuing of securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using calculations based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as prices of relevant American Depositary Receipts and futures. Utilizing these techniques may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to accurately reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.
For securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and such securities are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Futures, which are traded on an exchange, are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded or
30
at the last sales price on the national securities market on each business day and are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2024 in valuing the fund’s investments:
| | | | | | |
| Level 1-Unadjusted Quoted Prices | Level 2- Other Significant Observable Inputs | | Level 3-Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total | |
Assets ($) | | |
Investments in Securities:† | | |
Equity Securities - Common Stocks | 1,067,303,954 | - | | - | 1,067,303,954 | |
Exchange-Traded Funds | 5,359,800 | - | | - | 5,359,800 | |
Investment Companies | 10,357,033 | - | | - | 10,357,033 | |
Rights | - | - | | 0 | 0 | |
Liabilities ($) | | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | |
Futures†† | (333,483) | - | | - | (333,483) | |
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations, if any.
†† Amount shown represents unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end, but only variation margin on exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives, if any, are reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
| |
Rights ($)
|
Balance as of 10/31/2023† | 0 |
Purchases/Issuances | - |
Sales/Dispositions | - |
Net realized gain (loss) | - |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | - |
Transfers into Level 3 | - |
Transfers out of Level 3 | - |
Balance as of 4/30/2024† | 0 |
The amount of total net realized gains (loss) for the period included in earnings attributable to the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to investments still held at 4/30/2024 | - |
† Securities deemed as Level 3 due to the lack of observable inputs by management assessment.
(b) Foreign taxes: The fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, realized and
31
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
unrealized capital gains on investments or certain foreign currency transactions. Foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the fund and are reflected in the Statement of Operations, if applicable. Foreign taxes payable or deferred or those subject to reclaims as of April 30, 2024, if any, are disclosed in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(c) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income, including, where applicable, accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is recognized on the accrual basis.
Pursuant to a securities lending agreement with BNY Mellon, the fund may lend securities to qualified institutions. It is the fund’s policy that, at origination, all loans are secured by collateral of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned and 105% of the value of foreign securities loaned. Collateral equivalent to at least 100% of the market value of securities on loan is maintained at all times. Collateral is either in the form of cash, which can be invested in certain money market mutual funds managed by the Adviser, or U.S. Government and Agency securities. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold or re-pledged by the fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in the fund’s Statement of Investments. The fund is entitled to receive all dividends, interest and distributions on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Should a borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner, BNY Mellon is required to replace the securities for the benefit of the fund or credit the fund with the market value of the unreturned securities and is subrogated to the fund’s rights against the borrower and the collateral. Additionally, the contractual maturity of security lending transactions are on an overnight and continuous basis. During the period ended April 30, 2024, BNY Mellon earned $24,286 from the lending of the fund’s portfolio securities, pursuant to the securities lending agreement.
For financial reporting purposes, the fund elects not to offset assets and liabilities subject to a securities lending agreement, if any, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Therefore, all qualifying transactions are presented on a gross basis in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As of April 30, 2024, the fund had securities lending and the impact of netting of assets and liabilities and the offsetting of collateral pledged or received, if
32
any, based on contractual netting/set-off provisions in the securities lending agreement are detailed in the following table:
| | | | | | |
| | | Assets ($) | | Liabilities ($) | |
Securities Lending | | 46,815,524 | | - | |
Total gross amount of assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | 46,815,524 | | - | |
Collateral (received)/posted not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | (46,815,524) | 1 | - | |
Net amount | | - | | - | |
1 | The value of the related collateral received by the fund normally exceeded the value of the securities loaned by the fund pursuant to the securities lending agreement. In addition, the value of collateral may include pending sales that are also on loan. See Statement of Investments for detailed information regarding collateral received for open securities lending. |
(d) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by the Adviser are considered “affiliated” under the Act.
(e) Market Risk: The value of the securities in which the fund invests may be affected by political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed-income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the fund. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies world-wide.
Indexing Strategy Risk: The fund uses an indexing strategy. It does not attempt to manage market volatility, use defensive strategies or reduce the effects of any long-term periods of poor index performance. The correlation between fund and index performance may be affected by the fund’s expenses and/or use of sampling techniques, changes in securities markets, changes in the composition of the index and the timing of purchases and redemptions of fund shares.
(f) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income and dividends from net realized capital gains, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To the extent that net realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryovers,
33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gains. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(g) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of taxable income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.
As of and during the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
Each tax year in the three-year period ended October 31, 2023 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.
The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 was as follows: ordinary income $17,101,195 and long-term capital gains $145,859,164. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:
The fund participates with other long-term open-end funds managed by the Adviser in a $738 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. (the “Citibank Credit Facility”) and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by BNY Mellon (the “BNYM Credit Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions (each, a “Facility”). The Citibank Credit Facility is available in two tranches: (i) Tranche A is in an amount equal to $618 million and is available to all long-term open-ended funds, including the fund, and (ii) Tranche B is an amount equal to $120 million and is available only to BNY Mellon Floating Rate Income Fund, a series of BNY Mellon Investment Funds IV, Inc. In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay its pro rata portion of commitment fees for Tranche A of the Citibank Credit Facility and the BNYM Credit Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on rates determined pursuant to the terms of the respective Facility at the time of borrowing.
During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund was charged $30,210 for interest expense. These fees are included in Interest expense in the
34
Statement of Operations. The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the Facilities during the period ended April 30, 2024 was approximately $948,901 with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of 6.40%.
NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Adviser has agreed in its management agreement with the fund to: (1) pay all of the fund’s direct expenses, except management fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees and certain other expenses, including the fees and expenses of the non-interested board members and the fees and expenses of counsel to the fund and to the non-interested board members, and (2) reduce its fee pursuant to the management agreement in an amount equal to the fund's allocable portion of the fees and expenses of the non-interested board members and the fees and expenses of counsel to the fund and to the non-interested board members. These provisions in the management agreement may not be amended without the approval of the fund's shareholders. During the period ended April 30, 2024, fees reimbursed by the Adviser amounted to $20,620.
(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Investor shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of its average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended April 30, 2024, the fund was charged $1,126,999 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
The fund has an arrangement with The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund will receive interest income or be charged overdraft fees when cash balances are maintained. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes this interest income and overdraft fees, if any, as interest income in the Statement of Operations.
The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management
35
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
fee of $225,173 and Shareholder Services Plan fees of $178,822, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $3,000.
(c) Each board member of the fund also serves as a board member of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and meeting attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.
NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and futures, during the period ended April 30, 2024, amounted to $245,669,221 and $429,181,651, respectively.
Derivatives: A derivative is a financial instrument whose performance is derived from the performance of another asset. Rule 18f-4 under the Act regulates the use of derivatives transactions for certain funds registered under the Act. The fund is deemed a “limited” derivatives user under the rule and is required to limit its derivatives exposure so that the total notional value of applicable derivatives does not exceed 10% of fund’s net assets, and is subject to certain reporting requirements. Each type of derivative instrument that was held by the fund during the period ended April 30, 2024 is discussed below.
Futures: In the normal course of pursuing its investment objective, the fund is exposed to market risk, including equity price risk as a result of changes in value of underlying financial instruments. The fund invests in futures in order to manage its exposure to or protect against changes in the market. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or a sale of an asset at a specified date. Upon entering into such contracts, these investments require initial margin deposits with a counterparty, which consist of cash or cash equivalents. The amount of these deposits is determined by the exchange or Board of Trade on which the contract is traded and is subject to change. Accordingly, variation margin payments are received or made to reflect daily unrealized gains or losses which are recorded in the Statement of Operations. When the contracts are closed, the fund recognizes a realized gain or loss which is reflected in the Statement of Operations. There is minimal counterparty credit risk to the fund with futures since they are exchange traded, and the exchange guarantees the futures against default. Futures open at April 30, 2024 are set forth in the Statement of Investments.
The following tables show the fund’s exposure to different types of market risk as it relates to the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Statement of Operations, respectively.
36
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Fair value of derivative instruments as of April 30, 2024 is shown below: |
| | | | | | |
| | Derivative Assets ($) | | | Derivative Liabilities ($) | |
Equity risk | - | | Equity risk | (333,483) | 1 |
Gross fair value of derivative contracts | - | | | | (333,483) | |
| | | | | | |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: | |
1 | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures as reported in the Statement of Investments, but only the unpaid variation margin is reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The effect of derivative instruments in the Statement of Operations during the period ended April 30, 2024 is shown below:
| | | | | |
Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income ($) | |
Underlying risk | Futures | 1 | Total | |
Equity | 900,870 | | 900,870 | |
Total | 900,870 | | 900,870 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in income ($) | |
Underlying risk | Futures | 2 | Total | |
Equity | 227,528 | | 227,528 | |
Total | 227,528 | | 227,528 | |
| | | | | |
| Statement of Operations location: | |
1 | Net realized gain (loss) on futures. |
2 | Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures. |
The following table summarizes the monthy average market value of derivatives outstanding during the period ended April 30, 2024:
| | |
| | Average Market Value ($) |
Futures: | | |
Equity Futures Long | | 5,697,199 |
At April 30, 2024, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments inclusive of derivative contracts was $311,912,804, consisting of $418,054,572 gross unrealized appreciation and $106,141,768 gross unrealized depreciation.
At April 30, 2024, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
37
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited)
‘
At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) held on March 5-6, 2024, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement pursuant to which the Adviser provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”). The Board members, none of whom are “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from representatives of the Adviser. In considering the renewal of the Agreement, the Board considered several factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below. The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.
Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to it at the meeting and in previous presentations from representatives of the Adviser regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, including the fund. The Adviser provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. The Adviser also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or the Adviser) and the Adviser’s corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.
The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that the Adviser also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered the Adviser’s extensive administrative, accounting and compliance infrastructures.
Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data based on classifications provided by Thomson Reuters Lipper (“Lipper”), which included information comparing (1) the performance of the fund’s Investor class shares with the performance of a group of retail no-load small-cap core funds selected by Broadridge as comparable to the fund (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds consisting of all retail and institutional small-cap core funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended December 31, 2023, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of the same group of funds in the Performance Group (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of all retail no-load small-cap core funds, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”), the
38
information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Broadridge as of the date of its analysis. The Adviser previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.
Performance Comparisons. Representatives of the Adviser stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations and policies that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds and the end date selected. The Board also considered the fund’s performance in light of overall financial market conditions. The Board discussed with representatives of the Adviser the results of the comparisons and considered that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group median for all periods, except for the three-year period when the fund’s total return performance was above the Performance Group median and the ten-year period when the fund’s total return performance was at the Performance Group median, and was below the Performance Universe median for all periods, except the ten-year period when the fund’s total return performance was above the Performance Universe median. It was noted that there were only three other funds in the Performance Group. The Board considered the relative proximity of the fund’s performance to the Performance Group medians during the periods under review. The Adviser also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s benchmark index. The Board noted that the fund had a four-star overall rating and a four-star rating for the ten-year period from Morningstar based on Morningstar’s risk-adjusted return measures.
Management Fee and Expense Ratio Comparisons. The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee rate payable by the fund to the Adviser in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management services provided by the Adviser. In addition, the Board reviewed and considered the actual management fee rate paid by the fund over the fund’s last fiscal year, which included reductions for a fee waiver arrangement in place that reduced the investment advisory fee paid to the Adviser. The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses as a percentage of average net assets of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.
The Board noted that the Adviser pays all fund expenses, other than the actual management fee and certain other expenses. Because of the fund’s “unitary” fee structure, the Board recognized that the fund’s fees and expenses will vary within a much smaller range and the Adviser will bear the risk that fund expenses may increase over time. On the other hand, the Board noted that it is possible that the Adviser could earn a profit on the fees charged under the Agreement and would benefit from any price decreases in third-party services covered by the Agreement. Taking into account the fund’s “unitary” fee structure, the Board considered that the fund’s contractual management fee was slightly higher than the Expense Group median contractual management fee, the fund’s actual management fee was slightly higher than the Expense Group median and higher than the Expense Universe median actual management fee,
39
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued)
and the fund’s total expenses were slightly higher than the Expense Group median and higher than the Expense Universe median total expenses.
Representatives of the Adviser reviewed with the Board the management or investment advisory fees (1) paid by funds advised by the Adviser that are in the same Lipper category as the fund and (2) paid to the Adviser, or the primary employer of the fund’s primary portfolio managers that is affiliated with the Adviser, for advising the one separate account or other type of client portfolio that is considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund (the “Similar Clients”), and explained the nature of the Similar Clients. They discussed differences in fees paid and the relationship of the fees paid in light of any differences in the services provided and other relevant factors, noting the fund’s “unitary” fee structure. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Clients to evaluate the appropriateness of the fund’s management fee.
Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Representatives of the Adviser reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by the Adviser and its affiliates and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to the Adviser and its affiliates for managing the funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not excessive, given the services rendered and service levels provided by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the fee waiver arrangement and its effect on the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding the Adviser’s approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire BNY Mellon fund complex. The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.
The Board considered, on the advice of its counsel, the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fee under the Agreement, considered in relation to the mix of services provided by the Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, supported the renewal of the Agreement and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Representatives of the Adviser stated that a discussion of economies of scale is predicated on a fund having achieved a substantial size with increasing assets and that, if a fund’s assets had been stable or decreasing, the possibility that the Adviser may have realized any economies of scale would be less. Representatives of the Adviser stated that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to the Adviser from
40
acting as investment adviser and took into consideration that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.
At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Agreement. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.
· The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser are adequate and appropriate.
· The Board was generally satisfied with the fund’s performance.
· The Board concluded that the fee paid to the Adviser continued to be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the factors and the totality of the services provided as discussed above.
· The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by the Adviser in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.
In evaluating the Agreement, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with the Adviser and its affiliates, of the Adviser and the services provided to the fund by the Adviser. The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreement, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for the fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of the Agreement for the fund, or substantially similar agreements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and representatives of the Adviser. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on its consideration of the fund’s arrangements, or substantially similar arrangements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, in prior years. The Board determined to renew the Agreement.
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BNY Mellon Smallcap Stock Index Fund
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Adviser
BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent
BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
Distributor
BNY Mellon Securities Corporation
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286
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Ticker Symbols: | Investor: DISSX Class I: DISIX |
Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-373-9387
Mail The BNY Mellon Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
E-mail Send your request to info@bnymellon.com
Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.im.bnymellon.com
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the fund voted these proxies for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.im.bnymellon.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-373-9387.
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© 2024 BNY Mellon Securities Corporation 0077SA0424 | |
Not applicable.
| Item 3. | Audit Committee Financial Expert. |
Not applicable.
| Item 4. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
Not applicable.
| Item 5. | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
Not applicable.
(a) Not applicable.
| 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 Companies 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 applicable to Item 10.
| Item 11. | Controls and Procedures. |
(a) The Registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There were no changes to the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Item 12. | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable.
(a)(1) Not applicable.
(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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.
BNY Mellon Index Funds, Inc.
By: /s/ David J. DiPetrillo
David J. DiPetrillo
President (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: June 22, 2024
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ David J. DiPetrillo
David J. DiPetrillo
President (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: June 22, 2024
By: /s/ James Windels
James Windels
Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: June 21, 2024
EXHIBIT INDEX
(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.CERT)
(b) Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.906CERT)