Form 497K LAZARD FUNDS INC
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Lazard Funds Summary Prospectus April 29, 2016
Before you invest, you may want to review the Portfolio’s Prospectus, which contains more information about the Portfolio and its risks. The Portfolio’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), both dated April 29, 2016 (as revised or supplemented), are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus. You can find the Portfolio’s Prospectus, SAI and other information about the Portfolio online at www.LazardNet.com/lam/us/lazardfunds.shtml. You can also get this information at no cost by calling (800) 823-6300 or by sending an e-mail request to [email protected].
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Institutional |
Open |
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Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio |
LZGIX |
LZGOX |
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks total return from current income and capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio, a series of The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”).
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Institutional |
Open |
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Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
1.00% |
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1.00% |
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Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a |
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Management Fees |
.50% |
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.50% |
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Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees |
None |
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.25% |
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Other Expenses |
3.76% |
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26.97% |
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Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses |
4.26% |
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27.72% |
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Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* |
3.51% |
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26.67% |
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Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* |
.75% |
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1.05% |
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* |
Reflects a contractual agreement by Lazard Asset Management LLC (“the Investment Manager”) to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio until May 1, 2017, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed .75% and 1.05% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio’s Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of “Acquired Funds” and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Fund’s Board of Directors, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the investment management agreement between the Investment Manager and the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio. |
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Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then hold or redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to the fee waiver and expense reimbursment arrangement in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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Institutional Shares |
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$ |
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77 |
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$ |
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971 |
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$ |
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1,879 |
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$ |
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4,209 |
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Open Shares |
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$ |
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107 |
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$ |
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4,635 |
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$ |
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7,339 |
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$ |
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10,244 |
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Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 60% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in Fixed Income Investments. “Fixed Income Investments” include all types of debt and income producing securities and other instruments, including bonds, notes (including structured notes), mortgage- related securities, asset-backed securities, Eurodollar and Yankee dollar instruments, money market instruments and foreign currency forward contracts, including non-deliverable forward contracts. Fixed Income Investments may be issued by US or foreign corporations or entities, including those with business activities located in emerging market countries; US or foreign banks; the US government, its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises; US state and municipal governments; foreign governments and their political subdivisions; and supranational organizations (such as the World Bank).
In managing the Portfolio’s assets, the Investment Manager employs a relative value approach that is driven by its macroeconomic view of global interest rates, yield curves, sector spreads, and currencies, combined with an opportunistic, but disciplined, security selection process. The Investment Manager seeks to enhance the Portfolio’s total return by rotating investments through global bond and credit markets, maintaining or seeking exposure to foreign currencies in the discretion of the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager seeks to identify and exploit market inefficiencies (such as spread relationships between sectors in different countries, and undervalued or overlooked markets and securities) in seeking to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Investment Manager also seeks to identify investment opportunities with asymmetric risk/reward characteristics in seeking to enhance portfolio performance and mitigate risk.
The Portfolio’s currency exposure generally is managed relative to that of the Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond® Index—Unhedged in US dollar terms, and tactical exposures to non-US dollar currencies are based on the Investment Manager’s fundamental macroeconomic outlook, technical factors and the Investment Manager’s desired market positioning.
Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio invests significantly (at least 40%—unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by the Investment Manager, in which case the Portfolio would invest at least 30%) in issuers organized or located outside the US or doing a substantial amount of business outside the US, securities denominated in a foreign currency or foreign currency forward contracts. The Investment Manager allocates the Portfolio’s assets among various regions, countries and currencies, including the United States and the US dollar (but in no less than three different countries or currencies). The Portfolio may invest in securities of issuers with business activities located in emerging market countries or denominated in an emerging market currency.
The Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its assets in securities that are rated below investment grade (e.g., lower than Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or lower than BBB by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group) (“junk bonds”) or the unrated equivalent as determined by the Investment Manager. There are no restrictions on the Portfolio’s average portfolio maturity or duration or on the maturities of the individual debt and income producing securities and other instruments in which it may invest. Duration is an estimate of the sensitivity of the price (the value of principal) of a fixed-income security to a change in interest rates. Generally, the longer the duration, the higher the expected volatility. For example, the market price of
2Summary Prospectus |
a fixed-income security with a duration of three years would be expected to decline 3% if interest rates rose 1%. Conversely, the market price of the same security would be expected to increase 3% if interest rates fell 1%.
The Portfolio may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments that are part of its primary investment strategy, such as forward currency contracts, for hedging purposes.
Principal Investment Risks
The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money.
Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolio’s investments. 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 Portfolio.
Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets or factors unrelated to the issuer’s value, such as investor perception.
Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk. The market value of a debt security may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The debt securities market can be susceptible to increases in volatility and decreases in liquidity. Liquidity can decline unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening.
Prices of bonds and other debt securities tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. A rise in interest rates (or the expectation of a rise in interest rates) may result in periods of volatility, decreased liquidity and increased redemptions, and, as a result, the Portfolio may have to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices. Risks associated with rising interest rates are heightened given that interest rates in the US and other countries are at or near historic lows.
The Portfolio’s investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities (“junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit risk than its higher rated investments. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal payments, or will not make payments on a timely basis. Non-investment grade securities tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are considered speculative. If there is a decline, or perceived decline, in the credit quality of a debt security (or any guarantor of payment on such security), the security’s value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolio’s share price. The prices of non-investment grade securities, unlike investment grade debt securities, may fluctuate unpredictably and not necessarily inversely with changes in interest rates. The market for these securities may be less liquid and therefore these securities may be harder to value or sell at an acceptable price, especially during times of market volatility or decline.
Some debt securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity. If securities held by the Portfolio are called during a time of declining interest rates (which is typically the case when issuers exercise options to call outstanding securities), the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield (and the Portfolio may not fully benefit from any increase in the value of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates).
Adjustable rate securities provide the Portfolio with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although such securities will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. Certain adjustable rate securities, such as those with interest rates that fluctuate directly or indirectly based on multiples of a stated index, are designed to be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and can subject the holders thereof to extreme reductions of yield and possibly loss of principal. Certain fixed-income securities may be issued at a
Summary Prospectus3 |
discount from their face value (such as zero coupon securities) or purchased at a price less than their stated face amount or at a price less than their issue price plus the portion of “original issue discount” previously accrued thereon, i.e., purchased at a “market discount.” The amount of original issue discount and/or market discount on certain obligations may be significant, and accretion of market discount together with original issue discount will cause the Portfolio to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities.
Mortgage-Related and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-related securities are complex instruments, subject to both credit and prepayment risk, and may be more volatile and less liquid, and more difficult to price accurately, than more traditional debt securities. Mortgage- related securities generally are subject to credit risks associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage properties. Prepayment risk can lead to fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related security which may be pronounced. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain mortgage-related securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. However, although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since during periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the security are more likely to be prepaid.
The risks of asset-backed securities are similar to those of mortgage-related securities. However, asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-related securities. Primarily, these securities may provide the Portfolio with a less effective security interest in the related collateral than do mortgage-related securities.
Structured Products Risk. Structured notes and other structured products are privately negotiated debt instruments where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to a specified asset, market or rate, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. Structured products can have risks of both fixed income securities and derivatives transactions. Derivatives transactions may increase volatility or reduce returns, perhaps substantially, particularly since most derivatives have a leverage component that provides investment exposure in excess of the amount invested, and they are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related reference assets, markets or rates. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolio’s performance. Use of derivatives transactions may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions.
Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolio’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity.
Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based predominantly on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme debt burdens or volatile inflation rates. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies.
Foreign Currency Risk. Investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars may experience a decline in value, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Currency investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market currencies.
Liquidity Risk. The lack of a readily available market may limit the ability of the Portfolio to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. The size of certain debt securities offerings of emerging markets issuers may be relatively smaller in size than debt offerings in more developed markets and,
4Summary Prospectus |
in some cases, the Portfolio, by itself or together with other Portfolios or other accounts managed by the Investment Manager, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security; these factors can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at the desired time or price.
Forward Currency Contracts and Other Derivatives Risk. Forward currency contracts and other derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes, may increase volatility or reduce returns, perhaps substantially, particularly since most derivatives have a leverage component that provides investment exposure in excess of the amount invested. Forward currency contracts, structured products and other over-the-counter derivatives transactions are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid. These derivatives transactions are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related currency or other reference asset. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolio’s performance. Derivatives transactions incur costs, either explicitly or implicitly, which reduce return. Successful use of derivatives is subject to the Investment Manager’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant reference asset or market. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions.
Performance Bar Chart and Table
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio by showing the Portfolio’s year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolio’s Institutional Shares has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolio’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
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Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2015)
After-tax returns are shown only for Institutional Shares. After-tax returns of the Portfolio’s other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Summary Prospectus5 |
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Inception |
1 Year |
Since |
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Institutional Shares: |
3/30/12 |
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Returns Before Taxes |
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-4.03% |
-1.32% |
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Returns After Taxes on Distributions |
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-4.04% |
-1.68% |
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Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares |
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-2.28% |
-1.11% |
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Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes) |
3/30/12 |
-4.31% |
-1.61% |
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Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index |
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-3.15% |
-0.50% |
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Management
Investment Manager
Lazard Asset Management LLC
Portfolio Managers/Analysts
Yvette Klevan, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Manager’s Global Fixed Income team, has been with the Portfolio since March 2012.
Jared Daniels, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Manager’s Global Fixed Income team, has been with the Portfolio since March 2012.
6Summary Prospectus |
Purchase and Sale of Portfolio Shares
The initial investment minimums are:
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Institutional Shares* |
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$ |
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100,000 |
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Open Shares* |
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$ |
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2,500 |
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Unless the investor is a client of a securities dealer or other institution which has made an aggregate minimum initial purchase for its clients of at least $100,000 for Institutional Shares or $2,500 for Open Shares.
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The subsequent investment minimum is $50.
Portfolio shares are redeemable through the Fund’s transfer agent, Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., on any business day by telephone, mail or overnight delivery. Clients of financial intermediaries may be subject to the intermediaries’ procedures.
Tax Information
All dividends and short-term capital gains distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, and long-term capital gains are generally taxable as such, whether you receive the distribution in cash or reinvest it in additional shares.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Portfolio through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and/or the Investment Manager and its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Portfolio shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
00084113
Lazard Asset Management LLC • 30 Rockefeller Plaza • New York, NY 10112 • www.lazardnet.com
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