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Form N-CSR DELAWARE GROUP FOUNDATIO For: Mar 31

June 8, 2020 12:07 PM EDT

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:       811-08457
 
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Delaware Group® Foundation Funds
 
Address of principal executive offices: 2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
 
Name and address of agent for service: David F. Connor, Esq.
2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 523-1918
 
Date of fiscal year end: March 31
 
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2020


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

Table of Contents
LOGO    LOGO

Annual report    

 

Multi-asset mutual fund

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

March 31, 2020

 

Beginning on or about June 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of your Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent to you by mail, unless you specifically request them from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker/dealer, bank, or insurance company. Instead, you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted on the website and provided with a link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up at delawarefunds.com/edelivery. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive paper copies of all future shareholder reports free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting us at 800 523-1918. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie or your financial intermediary.

Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

You can obtain shareholder reports and prospectuses online instead of in the mail.

Visit delawarefunds.com/edelivery.


Table of Contents

Experience Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

Macquarie Investment Management (MIM) is a global asset manager with offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. As active managers we prioritize autonomy and accountability at the investment team level in pursuit of opportunities that matter for clients. Delaware Funds is one of the longest-standing mutual fund families, with more than 80 years in existence.

If you are interested in learning more about creating an investment plan, contact your financial advisor.

You can learn more about Delaware Funds or obtain a prospectus for Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund at delawarefunds.com/literature.

 

Manage your account online

 

  Check your account balance and transactions

 

  View statements and tax forms

 

  Make purchases and redemptions

Visit delawarefunds.com/account-access.

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) offers a diverse range of products including securities investment management, infrastructure and real asset management, and fund and equity-based structured products. MIM is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group. This includes the following investment advisers: Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, Macquarie Capital Investment Management LLC, and Macquarie Investment Management Europe S.A.

The Fund is distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP), an affiliate of MIMBT and Macquarie Group Limited.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL), none of the entities noted are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise. The Fund is governed by US laws and regulations.

Table of contents   

Portfolio management review

     1  

Performance summary

     4  

Disclosure of Fund expenses

     9  

Security type / sector allocation, top 10 equity holdings, and country allocation

     11  

Schedule of investments

     15  

Statement of assets and liabilities

     48  

Statement of operations

     50  

Statements of changes in net assets

     52  

Financial highlights

     54  

Notes to financial statements

     62  

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

     85  

Other Fund information

     86  

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

     88  

About the organization

     98  

Unless otherwise noted, views expressed herein are current as of March 31, 2020, and subject to change for events occurring after such date.

The Fund is not FDIC insured and is not guaranteed. It is possible to lose the principal amount invested.

Advisory services provided by Delaware Management Company, a series of MIMBT, a US registered investment advisor.

All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.

© 2020 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.

 


Table of Contents
Portfolio management review   
Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund    April 7, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

Performance preview (for the year ended March 31, 2020)      
     

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund (Institutional Class shares)

     1-year return        -9.29 %   
     

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund (Class A shares)

     1-year return        -9.55 %   
     

Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index (benchmark)

     1-year return        +8.93 %   
     

S&P 500® Index (benchmark)

     1-year return        -6.98 %   
     

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Moderate Funds Average

     1-year return        -6.32 %   

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

For complete, annualized performance for Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund, please see the table on page 4. Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

The performance of Class A shares excludes the applicable sales charge. Both Institutional Class shares and Class A shares reflect the reinvestment of all distributions.

The Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Moderate Funds Average compares funds that, by portfolio practice, maintain a mix of between 40% and 60% equity securities, with the remainder invested in bonds, cash, and cash equivalents.

Please see page 7 for a description of the index. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks capital appreciation with current income as a secondary objective.

Economic backdrop

The period from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 was mixed from a performance perspective. Prices of most risk assets had risen quite substantially up until the COVID-19 outbreak. Market developments in the first quarter of 2020, and particularly March 2020, led to substantially falling prices of risk assets. In the equity markets, US small-cap equities underperformed US large caps, US value underperformed US growth, and US real estate investment trusts (REITs) underperformed the broad US equity market. Equities declined globally across all regions, including developed and emerging markets. In the fixed income markets, performance on an aggregate basis was positive, with US fixed income securities generating higher returns than non-US fixed income securities. The price of many commodities declined even more than equity prices during the Fund’s fiscal year. Over the

12 months ended March 31, 2020, the spot price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI, Cushing) crude oil fell by nearly two-thirds, and the broadly diversified Bloomberg Commodity Index dropped by more than 20%. In contrast, the spot price of gold rose by almost 25%. (Source: Bloomberg.)

Within the Fund

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund underperformed its benchmarks, the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index and the S&P 500 Index. The Fund’s Institutional Class shares declined 9.29%. The Fund’s Class A shares fell 9.55% at net asset value and declined 14.77% at maximum offer price. These figures reflect all distributions reinvested. During the same period, the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index gained 8.93% and the S&P 500 Index declined 6.98%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund, please see the table on page 4.

 

 

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Portfolio management review     

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

The Fund’s negative return for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 was lower than that of the S&P 500 Index. This mainly stemmed from the fact that the Fund’s equity exposure was to a large extent allocated to international and emerging markets equities, which generally delivered lower returns than US large-cap equities for the 12-month period. The Fund tends to hold a higher weight in non-US securities than most other asset allocation funds. Thus, when US markets are delivering higher total returns than non-US markets, or when the US dollar is appreciating relative to other currencies, the Fund tends to struggle by comparison with its peers. Additionally, within US equities, the allocation to small-cap and real estate equities, which both underperformed the broad market, was unfavorable for the Fund during the 12-month period.

A large portion of the Fund was invested in US fixed income securities, which had several sub-sectors post significant gains, helping to dampen the negative effects of poor equity performance. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund delivered returns that were lower than the average returns of its Lipper peer group, as shown on page 1.

Portfolio positioning

The Fund’s strategic policy weights reflect a commitment to seeking diversification across geographies and asset classes. At the beginning of April 2019, the Fund was positioned defensively relative to its strategic policy weights. In particular, the Fund was below its strategic policy weights in developed market equities – both US and international – while it held a tactical position in US real estate equities. The main overweight was in US fixed income securities. In broad terms, we maintained an underweight in US equity sectors and a tactical position in US REITs for the 12 months ended March 31, 2020. However, the extent of these active positions varied throughout

the fiscal period, along with other reallocations. At the beginning of the second quarter, we reduced the US fixed income allocation towards its strategic weight. In return, we increased the Fund’s allocation to international equities and maintained the overweight to emerging markets equities. In the third and fourth quarters of 2019, we chose to gradually reduce the active equity positions across all regions while establishing a small fixed income overweight. This changed in mid-December when we added to US equity exposure, which slightly overweighted equities overall relative to strategic policy weights. During the market selloff in March 2020 and immediately after the COVID-19-related lockdowns in Italy, we decided to cut back equity investments to an underweight position. At the same time, we overweighted the allocation to US fixed income. We later again reduced this underweight to equities while we maintained a small underweight to equity overall.

As part of the oversight process, we periodically analyze the sources of the Fund’s active performance. Over the 12 months ended March 31, 2020, the Fund’s active positioning with respect to the strategic policy weights of different asset classes was disadvantageous to the Fund’s active performance, relative to its hypothetical returns at the strategic policy weights. Most of this underperformance occurred in the first quarter of 2020. In terms of asset allocation, the main detractor was the overweight credit and underweight duration allocation within the Fund’s fixed income sleeves. The underweight in US equities versus international and emerging markets during most of the Fund’s reporting period and the tactical addition of US REITs also detracted from active performance. In contrast, active positions in international equities, especially the underweight in March 2020, added to performance. In March 2020, the increased underweight of US equities likewise contributed to performance.

 

 

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We periodically examine the contribution of derivatives to the Fund’s performance. Based on the available information, during the 12 months ended March 31, 2020, the Fund’s combination of futures, options, swaps, and currency positions had only a limited impact on performance. This limited impact detracted from the Fund’s performance for the fiscal year. As the Fund’s fiscal year ended, we sought to continue to deliver the potential benefits of diversification while actively managing risk. With these two

principles in mind, the Fund seeks to deliver returns that are derived from tactical asset allocation decisions as well as from active management of individual asset classes and investment styles. We manage the Fund based on the assumption that investors should keep a global perspective when evaluating potential investment opportunities, and therefore continue to include investment possibilities around the globe within the Fund.

 

 

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Performance summary

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

  

March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800 523-1918 or visiting delawarefunds.com/performance.

 

Fund and benchmark performance1,2    Average annual total returns through March 31, 2020  
      1 year      5 year      10 year      Lifetime  

Class A (Est. Dec. 31, 1997)

           

Excluding sales charge

     -9.55      +1.06      +4.36      +4.24%      

Including sales charge

     -14.77      -0.13      +3.74      +3.97%  

Class C (Est. Dec. 31, 1997)

           

Excluding sales charge

     -10.19      +0.29      +3.56      +3.47%  

Including sales charge

     -11.03      +0.29      +3.56      +3.47%  

Class R (Est. June 2, 2003)

           

Excluding sales charge

     -9.74 %*       +0.79      +4.08      +4.88%  

Including sales charge

     -9.74 %*       +0.79      +4.08      +4.88%  

Institutional Class (Est. Dec. 31, 1997)

           

Excluding sales charge

     -9.29      +1.30      +4.61      +4.50%  

Including sales charge

     -9.29      +1.30      +4.61      +4.50%  

Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index

     +8.93      +3.36      +3.88      +5.01%**  

S&P 500 Index

     -6.98      +6.73      +10.53      +6.50%**  

*Total return for the report period presented in the table differs from the return in “Financial highlights.” The total return presented in the above table is calculated based on the net asset value (NAV) at which shareholder transactions were processed. The total return presented in “Financial highlights” is calculated in the same manner but also takes into account certain adjustments that are necessary under US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) required in the annual report.

**The benchmark lifetime return is for Institutional Class share comparison only and is calculated using the last business day in the month of the Fund’s Institutional Class inception date.

 

1Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions and are presented both with and without the applicable sales charges described below. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

Expense limitations were in effect for certain classes during some or all of the periods shown in the “Fund and benchmark performance” table. Expenses for each class are listed on the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 6. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect.

Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service (12b-1) fee.

Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%, and have an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.24% of average daily net assets. In connection with the merger with Delaware Balanced Fund, the Board has adopted a formula for calculating 12b-1 plan fees for the Fund’s Class A shares. The Fund’s Class A shares are currently subject to a blended 12b-1 fee equal to

 

 

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the sum of: (i) 0.10% of average daily net assets representing shares acquired prior to June 1, 1992, and (ii) 0.25% of average daily net assets representing shares acquired on or after June 1, 1992. All Class A shares currently bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate, the blended rate, currently 0.24% of average daily net assets, based on the formula described above. This method of calculating Class A 12b-1 fees may be discontinued at the sole discretion of the Board. Performance for Class A shares, excluding sales charges, assumes that no front-end sales charge applied.

Class C shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed during the first 12 months. They are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class C shares, excluding sales charges, assumes either that contingent deferred sales charges did not apply or that the investment was not redeemed.

Class R shares are available only for certain retirement plan products. They are sold without a sales charge and have an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.50% of average daily net assets.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt.

The Fund may also be subject to prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

High yielding, non-investment-grade bonds (junk bonds) involve higher risk than investment grade bonds. The high yield secondary market is particularly susceptible to liquidity problems when institutional investors, such as mutual funds and certain other financial institutions, temporarily stop

buying bonds for regulatory, financial, or other reasons. In addition, a less liquid secondary market makes it more difficult for the Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities in its portfolio.

If and when the Fund invests in forward foreign currency contracts or uses other investments to hedge against currency risks, the Fund will be subject to special risks, including counterparty risk.

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which may involve additional expenses and are subject to risk, including the risk that an underlying security or securities index moves in the opposite direction from what the portfolio manager anticipated. A derivatives transaction depends upon the counterparties’ ability to fulfill their contractual obligations.

International investments entail risks not ordinarily associated with US investments including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability in other nations. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility and lower trading volume.

Risk controls and asset allocation models do not promise any level of performance or guarantee against loss of principal.

Narrowly focused investments may exhibit higher volatility than investments in multiple industry sectors.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) investments are subject to many of the risks associated with direct real estate ownership, including changes in economic conditions, credit risk, and interest rate fluctuations.

The Fund may experience portfolio turnover in excess of 100%, which could result in higher transaction costs and tax liability.

 

 

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Performance summary

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

Interest payments on inflation-indexed debt securities will vary as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation.

LIBOR risk is the risk that potential changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments which reference LIBOR. The potential abandonment of LIBOR could affect the value and liquidity of instruments which reference LIBOR.

 

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Fund’s investments.

 

 

2The Fund’s expense ratios, as described in the most recent prospectus, are disclosed in the following “Fund expense ratios” table. Delaware Management Company has agreed to reimburse certain expenses and/or waive certain fees in order to prevent total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale and dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations (collectively, nonroutine expenses)) from exceeding 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.* Please see the most recent prospectus and any applicable supplement(s) for additional information on these fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

 

Fund expense ratios      Class A    Class C    Class R    Institutional Class      

Total annual operating expenses

     1.20%    1.96%    1.46%    0.96%    

(without fee waivers)

             

Net expenses

     1.14%    1.90%    1.40%    0.90%    

(including fee waivers, if any)

             

Type of waiver

     Contractual    Contractual    Contractual    Contractual    

*The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from July 27, 2018 through July 29, 2020.

 

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Performance of a $10,000 investment1

Average annual total returns from March 31, 2010 through March 31, 2020

 

LOGO

     
  For period beginning March 31, 2010 through March 31, 2020    Starting value      Ending value  

LOGO S&P 500 Index

     $10,000        $27,211  

LOGO Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund — Institutional Class shares

     $10,000        $15,693  

LOGO Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index

     $10,000        $14,638  

LOGO Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund — Class A shares

     $9,425        $14,437  

 

1 The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph assumes $10,000 invested in Institutional Class and Class A shares of the Fund on March 31, 2010, and includes the effect of a 5.75% front-end sales charge (for Class A shares) and the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares. Expense limitations were in effect for some or all of the periods shown. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect. Expenses are listed in the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 6. Please note additional details on pages 4 through 8.

The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index and the S&P 500 Index as of March 31, 2010.

The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value, and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index is a broad composite that tracks the investment grade domestic bond market.

The Bloomberg Commodity Index, mentioned on page 1, is a highly liquid and diversified benchmark commodity price index. The index comprises 23 exchange-traded futures on physical commodities, representing 21 commodities that are weighted to account for economic significance and market liquidity.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

 

 

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Performance summary

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

Performance of other Fund classes will vary due to

different charges and expenses.

 

       
       Nasdaq symbols      CUSIPs     

Class A

     DFBAX      245918503   

Class C

     DFBCX      245918701   

Class R

     DFBRX      245918834   

Institutional Class

     DFFIX        245918800     

 

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Disclosure of Fund expenses

For the six-month period from October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

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

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher. The Fund’s expenses shown in the table reflect fee waivers in effect and assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

 

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Disclosure of Fund expenses

For the six-month period from October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

 

     

Beginning

 

Account Value

 

10/1/19

  

Ending

 

Account Value

 

3/31/20

  

Annualized

 

Expense Ratio

 

Expenses

 

Paid During Period

 

10/1/19 to 3/31/20*

Actual Fund return

                  

Class A

       $1,000.00        $885.20        1.12 %       $5.28

Class C

       1,000.00        881.50        1.88 %       8.84

Class R

       1,000.00        883.60        1.38 %       6.50

Institutional Class

       1,000.00        886.60        0.88 %       4.15

Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)

 

        

Class A

       $1,000.00        $1,019.40        1.12 %       $5.65

Class C

       1,000.00        1,015.60        1.88 %       9.47

Class R

       1,000.00        1,018.10        1.38 %       6.96

Institutional Class

       1,000.00        1,020.60        0.88 %       4.45

*“Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

†Because actual returns reflect only the most recent six-month period, the returns shown may differ significantly from fiscal year returns.

In addition to the Fund’s expenses reflected above, the Fund also indirectly bears its portion of the fees and expenses of the investment companies in which it invests (Underlying Funds), including exchange-traded funds. The table above does not reflect the expenses of the Underlying Funds.

 

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Security type / sector allocation, top 10

equity holdings, and country allocation

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

   As of March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different than the sector designations presented in other Fund materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications.

 

Security type / sector            Percentage of net assets         

Common Stock

       51.63 %

US Markets

       25.29 %

Communication Services

       2.39 %

Consumer Discretionary

       2.03 %

Consumer Staples

       1.06 %

Energy

       0.51 %

Financials

       3.14 %

Healthcare

       4.45 %

Industrials

       2.20 %

Information Technology

       5.22 %

Materials

       1.04 %

Real Estate

       2.69 %

Utilities

       0.56 %

Developed Markets

       18.70 %

Communication Services

       1.02 %

Consumer Discretionary

       1.80 %

Consumer Staples

       3.07 %

Energy

       0.61 %

Financials

       2.65 %

Healthcare

       3.30 %

Industrials

       2.70 %

Information Technology

       1.24 %

Materials

       1.35 %

Real Estate

       0.53 %

Utilities

       0.43 %

Emerging Markets

       7.64 %

Communication Services

       1.82 %

Consumer Discretionary

       1.17 %

Consumer Staples

       0.69 %

Energy

       1.13 %

Financials

       0.52 %

Healthcare

       0.12 %

Industrials

       0.00 %

Information Technology

       1.97 %

Materials

       0.17 %

Real Estate

       0.03 %

Utilities

       0.02 %

Exchange-Traded Funds

       5.38 %

 

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Security type / sector allocation, top 10

equity holdings, and country allocation

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

Security type / sector            Percentage of net assets        

Limited Partnership

       0.01 %

Agency Asset-Backed Security

       0.00 %

Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       1.82 %

Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       0.51 %

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

       14.27 %

Collateralized Debt Obligations

       0.61 %

Corporate Bonds

       14.37 %

Banking

       4.29 %

Basic Industry

       0.81 %

Capital Goods

       0.52 %

Communications.

       2.01 %

Consumer Cyclical

       0.42 %

Consumer Non-Cyclical

       1.14 %

Energy

       1.06 %

Financials

       0.46 %

Insurance

       0.42 %

Real Estate

       0.55 %

Technology

       0.83 %

Transportation

       0.08 %

Utilities

       1.78 %

Loan Agreements

       0.90 %

Municipal Bonds

       0.46 %

Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities

       1.88 %

Non-Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       1.42 %

Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       2.95 %

Sovereign Bond

       0.01 %

Preferred Stock

       0.55 %

Short-Term Investments

       4.88 %

Total Value of Securities

       101.65 %

Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets

       (1.65 %)

Total Net Assets

       100.00 %

 

12


Table of Contents

    

    

 

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

 

Top 10 equity holdings

 

  

        Percentage of net assets        

 

Microsoft

       0.95 %

Reliance Industries GDR

       0.66 %

Tencent Holdings

       0.59 %

Samsung Electronics

       0.58 %

Amazon.com

       0.57 %

Alibaba Group Holding ADR

       0.57 %

Roche Holding

       0.56 %

Nestle

       0.55 %

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

       0.53 %

Alphabet Class A

       0.50 %

*Country / market

 

  

Percentage of net assets

 

US Markets

       66.98 %

Developed Markets

       21.59 %

Australia

       1.70 %

Austria

       0.11 %

Belgium

       0.12 %

Canada

       0.10 %

Cayman Islands

       0.85 %

Denmark

       0.51 %

Finland

       0.18 %

France

       2.42 %

Germany

       1.38 %

Hong Kong

       0.16 %

Ireland

       0.27 %

Israel

       0.32 %

Italy

       0.23 %

Japan

       5.56 %

Netherlands

       1.24 %

Portugal

       0.12 %

Singapore

       0.51 %

Spain

       0.73 %

Sweden

       0.45 %

Switzerland

       2.34 %

United Kingdom

       2.29 %

 

13


Table of Contents

Security type / sector allocation, top 10

equity holdings, and country allocation

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

*Country / market

 

  

        Percentage of net assets        

 

Emerging Markets

       8.20 %

Argentina

       0.05 %

Brazil

       0.67 %

Chile

       0.06 %

China

       2.68 %

Colombia

       0.02 %

India

       0.84 %

Indonesia

       0.13 %

Malaysia

       0.01 %

Mexico

       0.48 %

Morocco

       0.09 %

Peru

       0.04 %

Republic of Korea

       1.61 %

Russia

       0.48 %

Taiwan

       0.90 %

Turkey

       0.14 %

Total

       96.77 %

*Allocation includes all investments except for short-term investments.

 

14


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund    March 31, 2020

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock – 51.63%

                 

US Markets – 25.29%

     

Communication Services – 2.39%

     

Alphabet Class A †

     908      $       1,055,051  

AT&T

     26,139        761,952  

ATN International

     1,247        73,211  

Century Communications =†

     25,000        0  

Charter Communications Class A †

     947        413,186  

Cinemark Holdings

     2,277        23,203  

Comcast Class A

     20,396        701,214  

Facebook Class A †

     1,409        235,021  

Netflix †

     769        288,759  

Nexstar Media Group Class A

     577        33,310  

Take-Two Interactive Software †

     1,772        210,177  

Verizon Communications

     9,300        499,689  

Walt Disney

     7,092        685,087  

Yelp †

     2,688        48,465  
     

 

 

 
        5,028,325  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary – 2.03%

     

Amazon.com †

     617        1,202,977  

American Eagle Outfitters

     6,665        52,987  

Aramark

     3,263        65,162  

BorgWarner

     2,256        54,979  

Chegg †

     1,972        70,558  

Chuy’s Holdings †

     1,645        16,565  

Dollar Tree †

     6,400        470,208  

Domino’s Pizza

     807        261,524  

DR Horton

     1,550        52,700  

Five Below †

     909        63,975  

Home Depot

     2,052        383,129  

Jack in the Box

     681        23,869  

KB Home

     1,804        32,652  

Lowe’s

     5,600        481,880  

Malibu Boats Class A †

     2,051        59,048  

NIKE Class B

     3,983        329,553  

Starbucks

     3,221        211,749  

Steven Madden

     3,790        88,042  

Taylor Morrison Home †

     3,192        35,112  

Tenneco Class A †

     1,245        4,482  

Texas Roadhouse

     696        28,745  

Toll Brothers

     2,972        57,211  

Tractor Supply

     1,924        162,674  

Wendy’s

     4,195        62,422  
     

 

 

 
        4,272,203  
     

 

 

 

 

15


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

US Markets (continued)

     

Consumer Staples – 1.06%

     

Archer-Daniels-Midland

     14,600      $       513,628  

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings †

     1,739        44,292  

Casey’s General Stores

     1,067        141,367  

Conagra Brands

     17,498        513,391  

General Mills

     3,396        179,207  

J&J Snack Foods

     677        81,917  

Mondelez International Class A

     10,273        514,472  

PepsiCo

     1,947        233,835  
     

 

 

 
        2,222,109  
     

 

 

 

Energy – 0.51%

     

Chevron

     2,651        192,091  

ConocoPhillips

     16,335        503,118  

EOG Resources

     771        27,694  

Marathon Oil

     31,807        104,645  

Occidental Petroleum

     17,700        204,966  

Patterson-UTI Energy

     3,762        8,841  

PDC Energy †

     270        1,677  

Pioneer Natural Resources

     537        37,671  
     

 

 

 
        1,080,703  
     

 

 

 

Financials – 3.14%

     

Allstate

     5,500        504,515  

American Equity Investment Life Holding

     4,646        87,345  

American International Group

     15,400        373,450  

Axis Capital Holdings

     1,789        69,145  

Bank of New York Mellon

     15,100        508,568  

BlackRock

     409        179,948  

Bryn Mawr Bank

     1,543        43,790  

Capital One Financial

     2,167        109,260  

CenterState Bank

     5,384        92,766  

Charles Schwab

     7,121        239,408  

City Holding

     983        65,399  

CME Group

     2,246        388,356  

Comerica

     1,461        42,866  

East West Bancorp

     2,989        76,937  

Essent Group

     4,068        107,151  

First Bancorp (North Carolina)

     2,206        50,914  

First Financial Bancorp

     5,239        78,113  

First Interstate BancSystem Class A

     2,358        68,005  

Great Western Bancorp

     3,878        79,421  

Hamilton Lane Class A

     1,171        64,768  

Independent Bank

     1,299        83,617  

 

16


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

US Markets (continued)

     

Financials (continued)

     

Independent Bank Group

     2,141      $         50,699  

Intercontinental Exchange

     1,699        137,194  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     5,032        453,031  

Kemper

     560        41,647  

KeyCorp

     10,216        105,940  

KKR & Co. Class A

     12,371        290,347  

LendingTree †

     154        28,242  

Marsh & McLennan

     5,700        492,822  

MGIC Investment

     5,677        36,049  

NMI Holdings Class A †

     1,528        17,740  

Old National Bancorp

     6,413        84,587  

Pacific Premier Bancorp

     1,139        21,459  

Primerica

     321        28,402  

Prudential Financial

     1,544        80,504  

Raymond James Financial

     1,793        113,318  

Reinsurance Group of America

     961        80,859  

RLI

     178        15,652  

Selective Insurance Group

     1,729        85,931  

State Street

     1,827        97,324  

Stifel Financial

     2,432        100,393  

Travelers

     1,026        101,933  

Truist Financial

     13,800        425,592  

Umpqua Holdings

     5,064        55,198  

United Community Banks

     3,195        58,500  

US Bancorp

     3,436        118,370  

Valley National Bancorp

     6,776        49,533  

WesBanco

     2,805        66,479  

WSFS Financial

     1,676        41,766  
     

 

 

 
            6,593,253  
     

 

 

 

Healthcare – 4.45%

     

Abbott Laboratories

     9,356        738,282  

Adamas Pharmaceuticals †

     2,801        8,095  

Agios Pharmaceuticals †

     1,923        68,228  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

     875        201,049  

Brookdale Senior Living †

     28,642        89,363  

Cardinal Health

     11,000        527,340  

ChemoCentryx †

     736        29,572  

Cigna

     4,413        781,895  

CONMED

     1,377        78,861  

CryoLife †

     3,589        60,726  

CVS Health

     8,400        498,372  

 

17


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

US Markets (continued)

     

Healthcare (continued)

     

DexCom †

     668      $ 179,872  

Edwards Lifesciences †

     753        142,031  

Exact Sciences †

     2,020        117,160  

Gilead Sciences

     970        72,517  

Illumina †

     984        268,750  

Intercept Pharmaceuticals †

     1,190        74,922  

Intuitive Surgical †

     204        101,023  

IQVIA Holdings †

     3,627        391,208  

Johnson & Johnson

     6,756        885,914  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Class B †

     1,152        83,773  

Merck & Co.

     10,022        771,093  

Merit Medical Systems †

     3,173        99,156  

Natera †

     4,189        125,084  

Neurocrine Biosciences †

     1,162        100,571  

NuVasive †

     1,784        90,377  

Pfizer

     23,086        753,527  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare †

     3,234        118,623  

PTC Therapeutics †

     1,531        68,298  

Quidel †

     1,663        162,658  

Repligen †

     1,652        159,484  

Retrophin †

     6,152        89,758  

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals †

     5,663        13,195  

Supernus Pharmaceuticals †

     3,072        55,265  

Tabula Rasa HealthCare †

     2,082        108,868  

Teladoc Health †

     1,144        177,331  

Thermo Fisher Scientific

     832        235,955  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical †

     2,729        121,249  

UnitedHealth Group

     1,385        345,391  

Vanda Pharmaceuticals †

     6,084        63,030  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals †

     850        202,258  

Wright Medical Group †

     3,037        87,010  
     

 

 

 
                9,347,134  
     

 

 

 

Industrials – 2.20%

     

ABM Industries

     3,041        74,079  

Applied Industrial Technologies

     2,207        100,904  

ASGN †

     1,901        67,143  

Barnes Group

     1,333        55,759  

BrightView Holdings †

     4,504        49,814  

Casella Waste Systems Class A †

     1,599        62,457  

Caterpillar

     2,853        331,062  

 

18


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

US Markets (continued)

     

Industrials (continued)

     

Columbus McKinnon

     2,945      $ 73,625  

Eaton

     1,751        136,035  

Emerson Electric

     1,354        64,518  

ESCO Technologies

     1,054        80,009  

Federal Signal

     4,520        123,306  

Gates Industrial †

     3,716        27,424  

Honeywell International

     1,042        139,409  

Hub Group Class A †

     1,702        77,390  

Ingersoll Rand †

     873        21,650  

Kadant

     1,112        83,011  

Lockheed Martin

     520        176,254  

MasTec †

     1,974        64,609  

Mobile Mini

     2,591        67,962  

MYR Group †

     2,673        70,006  

Northrop Grumman

     1,600        484,080  

Oshkosh

     1,326        85,302  

Parker-Hannifin

     1,248        161,903  

Raytheon

     3,400        445,910  

Rexnord

     3,549        80,456  

Rockwell Automation

     385        58,100  

Southwest Airlines

     2,119        75,458  

Tetra Tech

     1,757        124,079  

Trane Technologies

     990        81,764  

Uber Technologies †

     8,068        225,259  

Union Pacific

     1,758        247,948  

United Technologies

     2,301        217,053  

US Ecology

     2,174        66,090  

Waste Management

     2,986        276,384  

Werner Enterprises

     1,577        57,182  
     

 

 

 
                4,633,394  
     

 

 

 

Information Technology – 5.22%

     

Accenture Class A

     1,330        217,136  

Adobe †

     1,322        420,713  

Anixter International †

     540        47,450  

Apple

     3,034        771,516  

Applied Materials

     2,781        127,425  

Arista Networks †

     871        176,421  

Autodesk †

     1,761        274,892  

Belden

     1,990        71,799  

Blackbaud

     772        42,885  

Box Class A †

     486        6,823  

 

19


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

US Markets (continued)

     

Information Technology (continued)

     

Broadcom

     2,855      $ 676,921  

Brooks Automation

     2,988        91,134  

Cisco Systems

     18,543        728,925  

Coupa Software †

     965        134,839  

ExlService Holdings †

     1,686        87,723  

II-VI

     3,383        96,416  

Intel

     14,518        785,714  

Intuit

     270        62,100  

J2 Global

     1,808        135,329  

KBR

     1,952        40,367  

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings †

     763        14,444  

Mastercard Class A

     1,334        322,241  

MaxLinear †

     5,132        59,890  

Microsoft

     12,680        1,999,763  

Mimecast †

     1,510        53,303  

NETGEAR †

     2,091        47,758  

Oracle

     9,800        473,634  

Paylocity Holding †

     435        38,419  

PayPal Holdings †

     3,271        313,166  

Plantronics

     720        7,243  

PTC †

     1,587        97,140  

Q2 Holdings †

     1,781        105,186  

Rapid7 †

     2,849        123,447  

salesforce.com †

     1,593        229,360  

Semtech †

     2,537        95,138  

ServiceNow †

     1,600        458,528  

Silicon Laboratories †

     1,099        93,866  

SS&C Technologies Holdings

     3,797        166,385  

Texas Instruments

     1,250        124,913  

Twilio Class A †

     1,596        142,826  

Tyler Technologies †

     832        246,738  

Visa Class A

     4,742        764,031  
     

 

 

 
              10,973,947  
     

 

 

 

Materials – 1.04%

     

Balchem

     898        88,651  

Ball

     6,529        422,165  

Boise Cascade

     4,377        104,085  

Coeur Mining †

     5,866        18,830  

Corteva

     3,673        86,315  

Dow

     1,908        55,790  

DuPont de Nemours

     15,176        517,502  

 

20


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

US Markets (continued)

     

Materials (continued)

     

Eastman Chemical

     2,534      $ 118,034  

Ferro †

     3,518        32,928  

Kaiser Aluminum

     1,447        100,248  

Linde

     496        85,808  

Minerals Technologies

     2,376        86,154  

Neenah

     2,138        92,212  

Quaker Chemical

     695        87,765  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum

     650        56,934  

Westrock

     5,169        146,076  

Worthington Industries

     3,025        79,406  
     

 

 

 
                2,178,903  
     

 

 

 

Real Estate – 2.69%

     

American Assets Trust

     2,220        55,500  

American Tower

     1,023        222,758  

Apartment Investment & Management Class A

     2,376        83,516  

Armada Hoffler Properties

     4,536        48,535  

AvalonBay Communities

     1,775        261,227  

Boston Properties

     999        92,138  

Brandywine Realty Trust

     8,736        91,903  

Brixmor Property Group

     6,047        57,447  

Camden Property Trust

     1,348        106,816  

Cousins Properties

     2,452        71,770  

Douglas Emmett

     4,725        144,160  

EastGroup Properties

     977        102,077  

Empire State Realty Trust Class A

     1,250        11,200  

Equity LifeStyle Properties

     2,600        149,448  

Equity Residential

     10,371        639,994  

Essex Property Trust

     1,025        225,746  

Extra Space Storage

     1,200        114,912  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

     650        48,497  

First Industrial Realty Trust

     9,191        305,417  

Highwoods Properties

     2,650        93,863  

Host Hotels & Resorts

     8,525        94,116  

JBG SMITH Properties

     1,312        41,761  

Kilroy Realty

     1,600        101,920  

Kite Realty Group Trust

     5,921        56,072  

Lexington Realty Trust

     12,353        122,665  

Macerich

     1,400        7,882  

Mack-Cali Realty

     3,975        60,539  

Mid-America Apartment Communities

     1,218        125,491  

National Retail Properties

     2,025        65,185  

 

21


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

US Markets (continued)

     

Real Estate (continued)

     

Omega Healthcare Investors

     1,675      $ 44,455  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     5,675        61,801  

Physicians Realty Trust

     6,039        84,184  

Prologis

     10,881        874,506  

PS Business Parks

     725        98,252  

Public Storage

     819        162,662  

Regency Centers

     945        36,316  

Retail Value

     448        5,488  

RLJ Lodging Trust

     2,825        21,809  

RPT Realty

     10,157        61,247  

Sabra Health Care REIT

     200        2,184  

Simon Property Group

     2,161        118,552  

SITE Centers

     4,037        21,033  

SL Green Realty

     1,875        80,813  

Spirit MTA REIT =†

     677        0  

Spirit Realty Capital

     1,405        36,741  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

     2,750        13,750  

Taubman Centers

     675        28,269  

UDR

     4,200        153,468  

Urban Edge Properties

     1,175        10,352  

Ventas

     3,900        104,520  

Welltower

     840        38,455  
     

 

 

 
        5,661,412  
     

 

 

 

Utilities – 0.56%

     

Black Hills

     1,276        81,702  

Edison International

     9,000        493,110  

NorthWestern

     2,431        145,447  

PPL

     4,371        107,876  

South Jersey Industries

     6,271        156,775  

Spire

     2,442        181,880  
     

 

 

 
        1,166,790  
     

 

 

 

Total US Markets (cost $42,942,116)

        53,158,173  
     

 

 

 

Developed Markets – 18.70%§

     

Communication Services – 1.02%

     

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone

     22,260        532,384  

NTT DOCOMO

     19,300        603,571  

Publicis Groupe

     6,500        185,763  

Telefonica

     58,600        266,694  

Telenet Group Holding

     8,580        257,646  

Toho

     9,900        302,710  
     

 

 

 
              2,148,768  
     

 

 

 

 

22


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

Developed Markets§ (continued)

     

Consumer Discretionary – 1.80%

     

Bandai Namco Holdings

     5,400      $ 261,918  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin

     3,750        328,443  

Honda Motor

     20,000        447,529  

Industria de Diseno Textil

     15,500        401,662  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton

     600        220,051  

Persimmon

     10,500        248,206  

Sodexo

     3,990        267,949  

Sony

     9,600        568,642  

Stanley Electric

     12,500        245,359  

Toyota Motor

     12,988        782,721  
     

 

 

 
                3,772,480  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Staples – 3.07%

     

Asahi Group Holdings

     8,600        279,012  

Beiersdorf

     3,800        382,625  

British American Tobacco

     13,710        467,035  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli

     40        335,739  

Coles Group

     34,870        324,746  

Danone

     6,870        439,668  

Essity Class B

     11,200        343,096  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize

     15,300        356,438  

L’Oreal

     2,370        613,382  

Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings

     7,000        255,174  

Nestle

     11,260        1,152,659  

Sundrug

     9,400        301,216  

Suntory Beverage & Food

     10,000        377,889  

Tate & Lyle

     32,230        262,218  

WH Group 144A #

     300,000        276,903  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets

     130,000        284,005  
     

 

 

 
        6,451,805  
     

 

 

 

Energy – 0.61%

     

Galp Energia

     21,400        244,734  

Royal Dutch Shell Class A

     24,370        423,397  

Royal Dutch Shell Class B

     21,860        366,681  

TOTAL

     6,700        252,448  
     

 

 

 
        1,287,260  
     

 

 

 

Financials – 2.65%

     

Allianz

     2,860        487,051  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group

     33,520        351,538  

Aviva

     75,000        246,582  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

     100,000        309,655  

 

23


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

Developed Markets§ (continued)

     

Financials (continued)

     

Banco Espirito Santo Class R =†

     370,000      $ 0  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel

     63,000        347,380  

Credit Suisse Group †

     41,000        330,926  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings

     27,700        328,941  

Daiwa Securities Group

     80,800        312,235  

DBS Group Holdings

     29,600        386,225  

Erste Group Bank †

     12,350        226,100  

Investec

     59,000        109,915  

Ninety One †

     29,500        63,354  

Nordea Bank

     46,770        263,100  

QBE Insurance Group

     46,000        239,614  

Standard Chartered

     52,000        287,497  

Swiss Life Holding

     960        322,220  

UBS Group †

     35,320        323,747  

UniCredit

     35,900        277,744  

United Overseas Bank

     26,400        362,209  
     

 

 

 
                5,576,033  
     

 

 

 

Healthcare – 3.30%

     

Alfresa Holdings

     20,000        372,231  

Astellas Pharma

     32,000        493,035  

BeiGene ADR †

     400        49,244  

Daiichi Sankyo

     7,500        515,075  

GlaxoSmithKline

     26,340        494,248  

Koninklijke Philips

     13,450        552,222  

Kyowa Kirin

     16,300        364,297  

Novartis

     11,410        941,312  

Novo Nordisk Class B

     11,580        691,512  

Roche Holding

     3,630        1,167,924  

Sanofi

     7,360        637,191  

Smith & Nephew

     20,700        364,662  

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma

     22,200        288,187  
     

 

 

 
        6,931,140  
     

 

 

 

Industrials – 2.70%

     

AGC

     10,400        253,422  

Brenntag

     8,380        304,463  

Deutsche Lufthansa

     17,620        164,802  

East Japan Railway

     5,966        451,450  

Intertek Group

     3,680        215,004  

ITOCHU

     22,786        471,548  

Japan Airlines

     10,400        191,125  

 

24


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

Developed Markets§ (continued)

     

Industrials (continued)

     

Leonardo

     32,000      $ 211,557  

Meggitt

     29,590        106,366  

Safran

     2,200        194,914  

Schneider Electric

     5,960        503,757  

Siemens

     4,560        381,832  

Teleperformance

     1,870        387,309  

Vestas Wind Systems

     4,750        386,487  

Vinci

     5,780        472,280  

Volvo Class B

     29,310        348,377  

West Japan Railway

     5,000        341,975  

Wolters Kluwer

     4,200        297,293  
     

 

 

 
                5,683,961  
     

 

 

 

Information Technology – 1.24%

     

ASML Holding (New York Shares)

     2,660        701,216  

Capgemini

     4,250        355,140  

Nice †

     2,270        328,232  

Omron

     7,600        392,940  

Tokyo Electron

     2,700        503,209  

Venture

     34,400        327,697  
     

 

 

 
        2,608,434  
     

 

 

 

Materials – 1.35%

     

BlueScope Steel

     43,800        229,316  

Covestro 144A #

     8,960        271,920  

CRH

     15,000        405,644  

LANXESS

     7,000        278,628  

Rio Tinto

     12,470        571,653  

Shin-Etsu Chemical

     4,700        461,950  

South32

     235,000        259,419  

UPM-Kymmene

     13,460        367,013  
     

 

 

 
        2,845,543  
     

 

 

 

Real Estate – 0.53%

     

Daito Trust Construction

     3,400        315,736  

Grand City Properties

     14,660        306,884  

Klepierre

     12,230        233,123  

Mirvac Group

     204,620        259,969  
     

 

 

 
        1,115,712  
     

 

 

 

Utilities – 0.43%

     

AusNet Services

     255,000        267,753  

Centrica

     370,000        174,341  

 

25


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

Developed Markets§ (continued)

     

Utilities (continued)

     

Tokyo Gas

     19,200      $ 452,415  
     

 

 

 
        894,509  
     

 

 

 

Total Developed Markets (cost $42,831,705)

              39,315,645  
     

 

 

 

Emerging Markets – 7.64%@

     

Communication Services – 1.82%

     

America Movil Class L ADR

     7,132        84,015  

Baidu ADR †

     2,422        244,113  

China Mobile

     39,715        297,635  

China Mobile ADR

     3,222        121,373  

Grupo Televisa ADR

     18,488        107,230  

LG Uplus

     9,781        85,929  

Mail.Ru Group GDR †

     3,427        55,083  

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ADR

     4,784        36,358  

NAVER

     592        82,308  

SINA †

     8,390        267,138  

SK Telecom ADR

     42,555        692,370  

Sohu.com ADR †

     9,774        60,892  

Telefonica Brasil ADR

     10,600        101,018  

Tencent Holdings

     24,900        1,230,748  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR †

     7        70  

TIM Participacoes ADR

     9,082        110,437  

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri ADR

     14,390        66,914  

Weibo ADR †

     1,972        65,293  

Yandex Class A †

     3,272        111,412  
     

 

 

 
        3,820,336  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary – 1.17%

     

Alibaba Group Holding ADR †

     6,138        1,193,718  

Arcos Dorados Holdings Class A

     9,153        30,571  

Astra International

     351,200        83,498  

B2W Cia Digital †

     58,754        541,056  

JD.com ADR †

     11,936        483,408  

LG Electronics

     1,200        47,182  

Trip.com Group ADR †

     3,331        78,112  
     

 

 

 
        2,457,545  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Staples – 0.69%

     

Atacadao

     18,077        71,110  

BRF ADR †

     28,163        81,673  

China Mengniu Dairy †

     49,000        168,987  

Cia Cervecerias Unidas ADR

     3,979        53,239  

Coca-Cola Femsa ADR

     5,821        234,179  

 

26


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

Emerging Markets @ (continued)

     

Consumer Staples (continued)

     

Fomento Economico Mexicano ADR

     1,138      $ 68,860  

Lotte Confectionery

     237        20,334  

Tata Consumer Products

     14,985        58,174  

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding

     161,724        262,936  

Tsingtao Brewery Class H

     50,000        252,736  

Uni-President China Holdings

     183,600        177,448  
     

 

 

 
                1,449,676  
     

 

 

 

Energy – 1.13%

     

China Petroleum & Chemical Class H

     276,200        134,953  

CNOOC ADR

     1,297        134,201  

Gazprom PJSC ADR

     56,767        257,423  

LUKOIL PJSC ADR

     2,508        148,373  

Petroleo Brasileiro ADR

     14,735        81,043  

Reliance Industries GDR 144A #

     45,543        1,394,868  

Rosneft Oil PJSC GDR

     53,962        217,206  
     

 

 

 
        2,368,067  
     

 

 

 

Financials – 0.52%

     

Akbank T.A.S. †

     73,761        61,936  

Banco Bradesco ADR

     22,725        92,263  

Banco Santander Brasil ADR

     12,715        65,737  

Banco Santander Mexico ADR

     33,819        109,574  

Grupo Financiero Banorte Class O

     16,520        45,265  

Itau Unibanco Holding ADR

     29,636        133,066  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Class H

     35,000        341,819  

Samsung Life Insurance

     2,218        77,625  

Sberbank of Russia PJSC

     68,513        163,309  
     

 

 

 
        1,090,594  
     

 

 

 

Healthcare – 0.12%

     

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories

     4,481        182,433  

Genscript Biotech †

     40,000        64,025  
     

 

 

 
        246,458  
     

 

 

 

Industrials – 0.00%

     

Latam Airlines Group ADR

     3,308        8,766  
     

 

 

 
        8,766  
     

 

 

 

Information Technology – 1.97%

     

Hon Hai Precision Industry

     150,582        346,680  

MediaTek

     41,000        440,062  

Samsung Electronics

     31,501        1,224,807  

SK Hynix

     13,902        939,832  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

     123,069        1,107,906  

 

27


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Common Stock (continued)

                 

Emerging Markets @ (continued)

     

Information Technology (continued)

     

WNS Holdings ADR †

     1,998      $ 85,874  
     

 

 

 
        4,145,161  
     

 

 

 

Materials – 0.17%

     

Cemex ADR

     13,862        29,387  

Cia de Minas Buenaventura ADR

     12,628        92,058  

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ADR

     3,027        68,259  

Tata Chemicals

     13,145        38,561  

Vale ADR †

     16,001        132,648  
     

 

 

 
        360,913  
     

 

 

 

Real Estate – 0.03%

     

Etalon Group GDR 144A #

     20,100        25,929  

IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones ADR †

     4,584        15,952  

IRSA Propiedades Comerciales ADR

     192        1,348  

UEM Sunrise †

     127,619        11,594  
     

 

 

 
        54,823  
     

 

 

 

Utilities – 0.02%

     

Kunlun Energy

     86,000        49,700  
     

 

 

 
        49,700  
     

 

 

 

Total Emerging Markets (cost $14,834,472)

        16,052,039  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stock (cost $100,608,293)

            108,525,857  
     

 

 

 

    

     

Exchange-Traded Funds – 5.38%

                 

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

     3,770        201,544  

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF

     51,490        7,756,969  

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

     930        31,006  

Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF

     13,080        1,662,206  

Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF

     10,720        1,658,170  
     

 

 

 

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (cost $9,617,552)

        11,309,895  
     

 

 

 
     

Limited Partnership – 0.01%

                 

Brookfield Property Partners

     3,983        32,103  
     

 

 

 

Total Limited Partnership (cost $77,030)

        32,103  
     

 

 

 

 

28


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Agency Asset-Backed Security – 0.00%

                 

Fannie Mae REMIC Trust
Series 2002-W11 AV1 1.967% (LIBOR01M + 0.34%, Floor 0.17%) 11/25/32

     1,815      $ 1,778  
     

 

 

 

Total Agency Asset-Backed Security (cost $1,816)

        1,778  
     

 

 

 
     

Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 1.82%

                 

Fannie Mae REMICs

     

Series 2013-4 PL 2.00% 2/25/43

     26,000        26,975  

Series 2013-44 DI 3.00% 5/25/33 S

     550,379        53,511  

Series 2013-71 ZA 3.50% 7/25/43

     107,615        115,757  

Series 2015-89 EZ 3.00% 12/25/45

     97,923        99,340  

Series 2016-61 ML 3.00% 9/25/46

     21,000        22,998  

Series 2016-80 JZ 3.00% 11/25/46

     53,174        56,491  

Series 2016-101 ZP 3.50% 1/25/47

     36,969        42,585  

Series 2017-40 GZ 3.50% 5/25/47

     167,204        187,804  

Series 2017-67 BZ 3.00% 9/25/47

     6,483        7,047  

Series 2017-94 CZ 3.50% 11/25/47

     189,335        212,214  

Series 2017-99 DZ 3.50% 12/25/47

     118,261        133,094  

Freddie Mac REMICs

     

Series 4015 MY 3.50% 3/15/42

     30,000        33,102  

Series 4197 LZ 4.00% 4/15/43

     217,490        244,203  

Series 4210 Z 3.00% 5/15/43

     92,536        91,989  

Series 4487 ZC 3.50% 6/15/45

     875,029        1,005,229  

Series 4531 PZ 3.50% 11/15/45

     180,345        195,767  

Series 4625 PZ 3.00% 6/15/46

     1,108        1,193  

Series 4629 KB 3.00% 11/15/46

     390,000        424,739  

Series 4657 JZ 3.50% 2/15/47

     5,569        6,392  

GNMA

     

Series 2013-113 LY 3.00% 5/20/43

     450,000        489,184  

Series 2016-160 VZ 2.50% 11/20/46

     58,688        59,492  

Series 2017-10 KZ 3.00% 1/20/47

     1,100        1,112  

Series 2017-19 AY 3.00% 2/20/47

     15,000        16,699  

Series 2017-36 ZC 3.00% 3/20/47

     66,737        72,231  

Series 2017-52 LE 3.00% 1/16/47

     188,000        211,393  

Series 2017-56 GZ 3.50% 4/20/47

     4,429        5,233  

Series 2017-56 JZ 3.00% 4/20/47

     6,548        7,167  

Series 2018-34 TY 3.50% 3/20/48

     10,000        10,878  
     

 

 

 

Total Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (cost $3,438,166)

                3,833,819  
     

 

 

 
     

Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 0.51%

                 

FREMF Mortgage Trust

     

Series 2011-K11 B 144A 4.418% 12/25/48 #

     500,000        500,046  

Series 2011-K15 B 144A 4.961% 8/25/44 #

     20,000        19,951  

 

29


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

                 

FREMF Mortgage Trust

     

Series 2012-K22 B 144A 3.687% 8/25/45 #

     145,000      $ 143,601  

Series 2013-K713 B 144A 3.492% 4/25/46 #

     9,230        9,208  

Series 2013-K713 C 144A 3.492% 4/25/46 #

     210,000        209,494  

Series 2014-K717 B 144A 3.63% 11/25/47 #

     140,000        139,029  

Series 2014-K717 C 144A 3.63% 11/25/47 #

     60,000        59,713  
     

 

 

 

Total Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $1,118,195)

              1,081,042  
     

 

 

 
     

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities – 14.27%

                 

Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr

     

3.00% 12/1/46

     1,301,441        1,373,065  

3.00% 9/1/47

     825,323        869,646  

3.00% 4/1/48

     103,950        109,012  

3.00% 11/1/48

     96,635        101,909  

3.00% 10/1/49

     351,199        368,275  

3.00% 11/1/49

     228,718        239,774  

3.00% 12/1/49

     181,720        191,227  

3.00% 1/1/50

     1,980,615        2,076,274  

3.50% 11/1/48

     136,742        144,754  

3.50% 6/1/49

     327,644        346,357  

3.50% 11/1/49

     679,192        717,532  

3.50% 12/1/49

     936,729        1,000,439  

3.50% 2/1/50

     1,584,638        1,674,597  

3.50% 3/1/50

     42,930        45,776  

4.00% 4/1/48

     354,991        380,716  

4.00% 10/1/48

     669,883        728,718  

4.50% 4/1/44

     65,184        72,231  

4.50% 2/1/46

     428,524        469,373  

4.50% 5/1/46

     33,502        36,680  

4.50% 11/1/47

     39,962        43,778  

4.50% 4/1/48

     74,388        81,448  

4.50% 9/1/48

     1,537,327        1,667,093  

4.50% 1/1/49

     297,346        325,609  

4.50% 11/1/49

     758,211        815,267  

5.00% 7/1/47

     1,149,700        1,275,412  

5.00% 9/1/48

     404,955        437,079  

5.00% 8/1/49

     2,011,802        2,229,896  

5.50% 2/1/34

     39,499        45,098  

5.50% 9/1/34

     54,542        61,200  

5.50% 5/1/44

     3,438,891        3,893,363  

6.00% 10/1/38

     695,186        799,721  

6.00% 6/1/41

     54,454        62,676  

6.00% 7/1/41

     2,006,423        2,308,816  

 

30


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

                 

Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr
6.00% 1/1/42

     44,457      $ 51,136  

Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr TBA

     

4.00% 4/1/50

     279,000        297,892  

5.00% 4/1/50

     1,620,000        1,749,284  

Freddie Mac ARM
2.599% (LIBOR12M + 1.63%,
Cap 7.60%, Floor 1.63%) 10/1/46

     96,702        98,344  

Freddie Mac S.F. 30 yr

     

3.00% 11/1/49

     182,635        191,515  

3.00% 12/1/49

     52,632        55,207  

3.00% 1/1/50

     91,478        96,179  

4.00% 10/1/47

     354,483        381,737  

4.50% 8/1/48

     663,125        717,670  

5.00% 7/1/45

     187,324        207,759  

5.50% 6/1/35

     31,057        35,110  

5.50% 7/1/37

     46,473        52,665  

5.50% 8/1/37

     40,111        45,344  

5.50% 10/1/37

     39,682        44,967  

5.50% 6/1/41

     773,280        876,650  

5.50% 9/1/41

     44,448        50,397  

GNMA II S.F. 30 yr

     

5.50% 5/20/37

     16,996        19,242  

6.50% 6/20/39

     29,101        34,022  
     

 

 

 

Total Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $29,311,090)

              29,997,931  
     

 

 

 
     

Collateralized Debt Obligations – 0.61%

                 

Apex Credit CLO
Series 2017-1A A1 144A 3.271% (LIBOR03M + 1.47%, Floor 1.47%) 4/24/29 #

     255,000        242,949  

Galaxy XXI CLO
Series 2015-21A AR 144A 2.839% (LIBOR03M + 1.02%) 4/20/31 #

     600,000        559,338  

Mariner CLO 5
Series 2018-5A A 144A 2.904% (LIBOR03M + 1.11%, Floor 1.11%) 4/25/31 #

     250,000        234,461  

Northwoods Capital XV
Series 2017-15A A 144A 2.416% (LIBOR03M + 1.30%) 6/20/29 #

     250,000        238,821  
     

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Debt Obligations (cost $1,355,000)

        1,275,569  
     

 

 

 

 

31


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Corporate Bonds – 14.37%

                 

Banking – 4.29%

     

Banco Santander 2.706% 6/27/24

     200,000      $         198,464  

Bank of America

     

2.496% 2/13/31 µ

     60,000        57,790  

3.458% 3/15/25 µ

     215,000        222,070  

4.083% 3/20/51 µ

     70,000        79,678  

BBVA USA 3.875% 4/10/25

     250,000        237,102  

Citizens Bank 3.70% 3/29/23

     250,000        256,400  

Citizens Financial Group

     

2.85% 7/27/26

     345,000        337,266  

4.30% 12/3/25

     160,000        167,824  

Credit Suisse Group

     

144A 5.10%#µy

     200,000        154,750  

144A 6.25%#µy

     200,000        185,722  

Fifth Third Bancorp

     

2.375% 1/28/25

     70,000        68,315  

3.65% 1/25/24

     55,000        57,304  

Fifth Third Bank 3.85% 3/15/26

     200,000        211,207  

Goldman Sachs Group

     

2.60% 2/7/30

     70,000        66,023  

3.50% 4/1/25

     40,000        40,635  

6.00% 6/15/20

     570,000        573,453  

Huntington Bancshares 2.30% 1/14/22

     115,000        114,049  

Huntington National Bank 3.125% 4/1/22

     305,000        309,267  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     

3.702% 5/6/30 µ

     565,000        608,013  

4.023% 12/5/24 µ

     75,000        79,583  

4.60%µy

     85,000        74,498  

5.00%µy

     120,000        112,583  

KeyBank 3.40% 5/20/26

     500,000        522,114  

Manufacturers & Traders Trust 2.50% 5/18/22

     250,000        242,134  

Morgan Stanley

     

2.75% 5/19/22

     200,000        202,286  

2.954% (LIBOR03M + 1.22%) 5/8/24

     650,000        623,591  

3.622% 4/1/31 µ

     65,000        67,790  

5.00% 11/24/25

     30,000        33,219  

5.597% 3/24/51 µ

     75,000        106,385  

PNC Bank 2.70% 11/1/22

     250,000        253,489  

PNC Financial Services Group 2.60% 7/23/26

     175,000        177,150  

 

32


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Corporate Bonds (continued)

                 

Banking (continued)

     

Regions Financial

     

2.75% 8/14/22

     80,000      $ 79,205  

3.80% 8/14/23

     80,000        81,142  

Santander UK 144A 5.00% 11/7/23 #

     90,000        90,827  

State Street 3.30% 12/16/24

     260,000        273,926  

Truist Bank

     

2.25% 6/1/20

     780,000        778,579  

2.45% 8/1/22

     85,000        85,286  

2.636% 9/17/29 µ

     73,000        70,017  

3.00% 2/2/23

     70,000        71,941  

3.30% 5/15/26

     200,000        205,627  

Truist Financial 2.70% 1/27/22

     105,000        105,654  

US Bancorp

     

3.00% 7/30/29

     30,000        29,993  

3.10% 4/27/26

     330,000        334,969  

3.15% 4/27/27

     30,000        31,234  

USB Capital IX 3.50% (LIBOR03M + 1.02%)y

     175,000        130,680  

Woori Bank 144A 4.75% 4/30/24 #

     200,000        213,069  
     

 

 

 
              9,022,303  
     

 

 

 

Basic Industry – 0.81%

     

BHP Billiton Finance USA 144A 6.25% 10/19/75 #µ

     200,000        196,619  

Cydsa 144A 6.25% 10/4/27 #

     200,000        149,709  

Georgia-Pacific 8.00% 1/15/24

     355,000        431,188  

Newmont

     

2.25% 10/1/30

     50,000        46,365  

2.80% 10/1/29

     140,000        134,219  

OCP 144A 4.50% 10/22/25 #

     200,000        189,766  

Orbia Advance 144A 5.50% 1/15/48 #

     200,000        175,463  

Petkim Petrokimya Holding 144A 5.875% 1/26/23 #

     200,000        166,904  

Syngenta Finance 144A 3.933% 4/23/21 #

     225,000        212,088  
     

 

 

 
        1,702,321  
     

 

 

 

Capital Goods – 0.52%

     

Carrier Global

     

144A 2.242% 2/15/25 #

     45,000        44,097  

144A 2.493% 2/15/27 #

     55,000        52,753  

144A 2.722% 2/15/30 #

     32,000        29,631  

General Electric

     

2.70% 10/9/22

     40,000        39,396  

5.55% 5/4/20

     115,000        115,297  

L3Harris Technologies 144A 4.40% 6/15/28 #

     255,000        276,425  

Otis Worldwide
144A 2.056% 4/5/25 #

     60,000        58,859  

 

33


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Corporate Bonds (continued)

                 

Capital Goods (continued)

     

Otis Worldwide

     

144A 2.565% 2/15/30 #

     105,000      $ 102,357  

144A 3.112% 2/15/40 #

     60,000        57,499  

144A 3.362% 2/15/50 #

     40,000        39,444  

Roper Technologies

     

2.35% 9/15/24

     60,000        58,443  

2.95% 9/15/29

     65,000        64,985  

United Technologies 3.65% 8/16/23

     50,000        52,669  

Waste Connections 2.60% 2/1/30

     110,000        103,203  
     

 

 

 
                1,095,058  
     

 

 

 

Communications – 2.01%

     

AT&T

     

4.30% 2/15/30

     60,000        64,707  

4.35% 3/1/29

     120,000        129,308  

4.50% 3/9/48

     35,000        38,169  

4.90% 8/15/37

     10,000        11,263  

Charter Communications Operating

     

4.50% 2/1/24

     145,000        149,706  

5.05% 3/30/29

     250,000        271,969  

Comcast

     

3.20% 7/15/36

     60,000        63,579  

3.70% 4/15/24

     550,000        591,409  

Discovery Communications

     

4.125% 5/15/29

     85,000        82,566  

5.20% 9/20/47

     55,000        56,460  

Fox

     

144A 4.03% 1/25/24 #

     295,000        307,074  

144A 4.709% 1/25/29 #

     20,000        21,987  

GTP Acquisition Partners I 144A 2.35% 6/15/20 #

     200,000        202,317  

Sprint Spectrum 144A 4.738% 3/20/25 #

     220,000        226,324  

Telefonica Emisiones 5.134% 4/27/20

     350,000        350,587  

Time Warner Entertainment 8.375% 3/15/23

     575,000        632,041  

Verizon Communications

     

3.15% 3/22/30

     35,000        37,717  

4.00% 3/22/50

     20,000        23,845  

4.50% 8/10/33

     540,000        651,384  

ViacomCBS

     

4.375% 3/15/43

     240,000        213,963  

4.95% 1/15/31

     55,000        54,556  

Vodafone Group 4.875% 6/19/49

     35,000        39,139  
     

 

 

 
        4,220,070  
     

 

 

 

 

34


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Corporate Bonds (continued)

                 

Consumer Cyclical – 0.42%

     

Dollar Tree 3.70% 5/15/23

     240,000      $ 244,134  

General Motors 5.00% 10/1/28

     4,000        3,514  

General Motors Financial

     

3.45% 4/10/22

     440,000        406,694  

5.25% 3/1/26

     11,000        9,728  

Home Depot

     

2.70% 4/15/30

     55,000        56,125  

3.35% 4/15/50

     45,000        49,072  

TJX

     

3.875% 4/15/30

     65,000        67,395  

4.50% 4/15/50

     35,000        37,670  
     

 

 

 
        874,332  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Cyclical – 1.14%

     

AbbVie 144A 2.95% 11/21/26 #

     190,000        194,038  

Amgen

     

2.20% 2/21/27

     40,000        39,984  

2.45% 2/21/30

     115,000        114,856  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide 4.15% 1/23/25

     110,000        118,859  

Bristol-Myers Squibb 144A 2.90% 7/26/24 #

     330,000        350,428  

Cigna

     

2.40% 3/15/30

     45,000        42,847  

2.721% (LIBOR03M + 0.89%) 7/15/23

     260,000        241,902  

3.20% 3/15/40

     45,000        41,660  

3.75% 7/15/23

     70,000        72,180  

4.125% 11/15/25

     107,000        114,768  

CVS Health

     

3.70% 3/9/23

     320,000        333,522  

3.75% 4/1/30

     55,000        57,024  

4.10% 3/25/25

     20,000        21,085  

Global Payments

     

2.65% 2/15/25

     120,000        119,189  

3.20% 8/15/29

     150,000        147,423  

New York and Presbyterian Hospital 4.063% 8/1/56

     140,000        168,067  

Takeda Pharmaceutical 4.40% 11/26/23

     210,000        221,423  
     

 

 

 
              2,399,255  
     

 

 

 

Energy – 1.06%

     

Ecopetrol 5.875% 9/18/23

     35,000        34,519  

Energy Transfer Operating

     

5.25% 4/15/29

     80,000        67,883  

7.125%µy

     135,000        81,416  

Enterprise Products Operating 3.70% 1/31/51

     25,000        22,605  

 

35


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Corporate Bonds (continued)

                 

Energy (continued)

     

Marathon Oil

     

2.80% 11/1/22

     160,000      $ 122,623  

4.40% 7/15/27

     65,000        43,483  

MPLX

     

4.00% 3/15/28

     35,000        31,178  

4.125% 3/1/27

     160,000        136,761  

Noble Energy

     

3.25% 10/15/29

     75,000        44,100  

3.90% 11/15/24

     295,000        243,797  

Occidental Petroleum 2.90% 8/15/24

     115,000        62,791  

ONEOK 7.50% 9/1/23

     330,000        329,018  

Petrobras Global Finance 144A 5.093% 1/15/30 #

     41,000        37,566  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction

     

5.625% 3/1/25

     180,000        165,524  

5.75% 5/15/24

     334,000        314,034  

Schlumberger Holdings

     

144A 3.75% 5/1/24 #

     95,000        90,076  

144A 4.30% 5/1/29 #

     190,000        185,061  

Tecpetrol 144A 4.875% 12/12/22 #

     40,000        31,943  

Tennessee Gas Pipeline 144A 2.90% 3/1/30 #

     165,000        140,418  

Transcanada Trust 5.50% 9/15/79 µ

     70,000        53,672  
     

 

 

 
              2,238,468  
     

 

 

 

Financials – 0.46%

     

AerCap Ireland Capital 3.65% 7/21/27

     200,000        155,330  

Air Lease 3.00% 2/1/30

     130,000        94,559  

Aviation Capital Group 144A 6.75% 4/6/21 #

     60,000        59,490  

Charles Schwab

     

3.20% 1/25/28

     50,000        50,761  

3.25% 5/21/21

     85,000        85,653  

3.85% 5/21/25

     90,000        95,721  

International Lease Finance 8.625% 1/15/22

     150,000        145,596  

Jefferies Group

     

4.15% 1/23/30

     75,000        71,975  

6.45% 6/8/27

     80,000        81,928  

6.50% 1/20/43

     65,000        54,129  

Mastercard

     

3.30% 3/26/27

     35,000        38,091  

3.85% 3/26/50

     25,000        30,658  
     

 

 

 
        963,891  
     

 

 

 

Insurance – 0.42%

     

Berkshire Hathaway Finance 2.90% 10/15/20

     220,000        221,317  

 

36


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Corporate Bonds (continued)

                 

Insurance (continued)

     

MetLife

     

5.25%µy

     60,000      $ 52,313  

6.40% 12/15/36

     110,000        115,153  

144A 9.25% 4/8/38 #

     400,000        500,546  
     

 

 

 
                889,329  
     

 

 

 

Real Estate – 0.55%

     

American Tower Trust #1 144A 3.07% 3/15/23 #

     240,000        239,452  

Corporate Office Properties

     

3.60% 5/15/23

     135,000        132,356  

5.25% 2/15/24

     170,000        178,397  

CubeSmart

     

3.00% 2/15/30

     65,000        60,741  

3.125% 9/1/26

     115,000        114,401  

Digital Realty Trust 3.60% 7/1/29

     185,000        180,935  

LifeStorage 3.50% 7/1/26

     130,000        124,224  

WP Carey 4.60% 4/1/24

     125,000        125,543  
     

 

 

 
        1,156,049  
     

 

 

 

Technology – 0.83%

     

International Business Machines 3.00% 5/15/24

     315,000        330,015  

Microchip Technology

     

3.922% 6/1/21

     65,000        63,380  

4.333% 6/1/23

     185,000        184,663  

Micron Technology 4.663% 2/15/30

     90,000        94,447  

NXP

     

144A 4.30% 6/18/29 #

     55,000        56,624  

144A 4.875% 3/1/24 #

     370,000        395,734  

Oracle 2.95% 4/1/30

     95,000        95,772  

Tencent Holdings 144A 3.28% 4/11/24 #

     500,000        519,288  
     

 

 

 
        1,739,923  
     

 

 

 

Transportation – 0.08%

     

United Airlines 2014-1
Class A Pass Through Trust 4.00% 4/11/26 ¨

     52,570        52,105  

United Airlines 2014-2
Class A Pass Through Trust 3.75% 9/3/26 ¨

     115,602        116,738  
     

 

 

 
        168,843  
     

 

 

 

Utilities – 1.78%

     

American Transmission Systems 144A 5.25% 1/15/22 #

     40,000        42,576  

Atlantic City Electric 4.00% 10/15/28

     75,000        80,704  

Ausgrid Finance 144A 3.85% 5/1/23 #

     43,000        45,121  

CenterPoint Energy 3.85% 2/1/24

     330,000        335,395  

ComEd Financing III 6.35% 3/15/33

     155,000        179,723  

Duke Energy 4.875%µy

     130,000        109,290  

 

37


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Corporate Bonds (continued)

                 

Utilities (continued)

     

Duke Energy Indiana

     

2.75% 4/1/50

     60,000      $ 55,406  

3.25% 10/1/49

     65,000        65,999  

Emera 6.75% 6/15/76 µ

     166,000        153,840  

Entergy Arkansas 4.20% 4/1/49

     190,000        216,679  

Entergy Louisiana

     

4.00% 3/15/33

     90,000        100,049  

4.05% 9/1/23

     25,000        25,588  

4.95% 1/15/45

     15,000        15,885  

Evergy 4.85% 6/1/21

     60,000        60,649  

Evergy Metro 3.65% 8/15/25

     270,000        281,392  

Exelon 3.95% 6/15/25

     35,000        35,223  

LG&E & KU Energy 4.375% 10/1/21

     485,000        487,929  

MidAmerican Energy 3.15% 4/15/50

     75,000        76,410  

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance 5.25% 4/20/46 µ

     100,000        95,427  

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings 3.15% 4/1/24

     90,000        92,272  

NiSource 5.65%µy

     120,000        106,859  

NV Energy 6.25% 11/15/20

     100,000        102,898  

PacifiCorp 3.50% 6/15/29

     255,000        260,230  

Perusahaan Listrik Negara 144A 4.125% 5/15/27 #

     200,000        194,431  

Southern California Edison

     

3.65% 2/1/50

     45,000        43,917  

4.875% 3/1/49

     30,000        34,807  

Vistra Operations

     

144A 3.55% 7/15/24 #

     120,000        113,166  

144A 4.30% 7/15/29 #

     215,000        191,600  

Xcel Energy

     

2.60% 12/1/29

     35,000        33,267  

3.40% 6/1/30

     45,000        45,707  

3.50% 12/1/49

     55,000        49,108  
     

 

 

 
        3,731,547  
     

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (cost $30,339,108)

              30,201,389  
     

 

 

 
     

Loan Agreements – 0.90%

                 

American Airlines Tranche B 1st Lien 2.705% (LIBOR01M + 2.00%) 12/14/23

     293,939        245,733  

CityCenter Holdings Tranche B 1st Lien 3.239% (LIBOR01M + 2.25%) 4/18/24

     342,085        303,173  

DaVita Tranche B1 2.739% (LIBOR01M + 1.75%) 8/12/26

     49,750        47,553  

 

38


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Loan Agreements (continued)

                 

HCA Tranche B13 1st Lien 2.739%
(LIBOR01M + 1.75%) 3/18/26

     400,741      $         383,709  

Lamar Media Tranche B 2.516%
(LIBOR01M + 1.50%) 2/5/27

     171,938        166,779  

Sprint Communications Tranche B 1st Lien 3.50%
(LIBOR01M + 2.50%) 2/2/24

     412,250        410,706  

SS&C Technologies Tranche B3 2.739%
(LIBOR01M + 1.75%) 4/16/25

     59,922        57,075  

SS&C Technologies Tranche B4 2.739%
(LIBOR01M + 1.75%) 4/16/25

     42,758        40,727  

W.R. Grace & Co. Tranche B1 1st Lien 0.00% 4/3/25

     100,049        87,543  

W.R. Grace & Co. Tranche B2 1st Lien 3.20%
(LIBOR03M + 1.75%) 4/3/25

     171,079        149,694  
     

 

 

 

Total Loan Agreement (cost $2,053,023)

        1,892,692  
     

 

 

 
     

Municipal Bonds – 0.46%

                 

Bay Area, California Toll Authority
(Build America Bonds) Series S3 6.907% 10/1/50

     185,000        296,327  

California State Various Purposes
(Build America Bonds) 7.55% 4/1/39

     130,000        211,461  

New Jersey Turnpike Authority
(Build America Bonds) Series A 7.102% 1/1/41

     105,000        149,920  

Oregon State Taxable Pension
5.892% 6/1/27

     200,000        235,064  

South Carolina Public Service Authority
Series D 4.77% 12/1/45

     60,000        73,160  
     

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds (cost $895,496)

        965,932  
     

 

 

 
     

Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities – 1.88%

                 

American Express Credit Account Master Trust

     

Series 2017-2 A 1.155% (LIBOR01M + 0.45%) 9/16/24

     335,000        331,664  

Series 2017-5 A 1.085% (LIBOR01M + 0.38%) 2/18/25

     1,215,000        1,171,236  

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust
Series 2017-A8 A8 1.86% 8/8/22

     200,000        199,820  

Discover Card Execution Note Trust
Series 2018-A3 A3 0.935% (LIBOR01M + 0.23%) 12/15/23

     90,000        88,895  

HOA Funding
Series 2014-1A A2 144A 4.846% 8/20/44 #

     489,500        466,870  

 

39


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities (continued)

                 

Mercedes-Benz Master Owner Trust
Series 2018-BA A 144A 1.045% (LIBOR01M + 0.34%) 5/15/23 #

     200,000      $         199,461  

Navistar Financial Dealer Note Master Owner Trust II
Series 2018-1 A 144A 1.577% (LIBOR01M + 0.63%, Floor 0.63%) 9/25/23 #

     75,000        72,748  

Nissan Master Owner Trust Receivables
Series 2017-B A 1.135% (LIBOR01M + 0.43%) 4/18/22

     1,000,000        992,965  

Tesla Auto Lease Trust
Series 2019-A A2 144A 2.13% 4/20/22 #

     150,000        150,223  

Towd Point Mortgage Trust

     

Series 2015-5 A1B 144A 2.75% 5/25/55 #

     50,822        50,404  

Series 2015-6 A1B 144A 2.75% 4/25/55 #

     64,505        64,020  

Series 2017-1 A1 144A 2.75% 10/25/56 #

     48,419        48,438  

Series 2017-2 A1 144A 2.75% 4/25/57 #

     48,766        47,771  

Series 2018-1 A1 144A 3.00% 1/25/58 #

     66,927        67,229  
     

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $4,042,020)

        3,951,744  
     

 

 

 
     

Non-Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 1.42%

                 

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities
Series 2005-5 6A3 5.00% 7/25/35

     33,923        32,492  

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust

     

Series 2006-S1 1A1 6.00% 4/25/36

     58,314        58,426  

Series 2014-2 B1 144A 3.399% 6/25/29 #

     103,629        97,871  

Series 2014-2 B2 144A 3.399% 6/25/29 #

     103,629        97,628  

Series 2014-IVR6 2A4 144A 2.50% 7/25/44 #

     200,000        193,197  

Series 2015-4 B1 144A 3.622% 6/25/45 #

     177,355        165,606  

Series 2015-4 B2 144A 3.622% 6/25/45 #

     177,355        164,998  

Series 2015-5 B2 144A 3.053% 5/25/45 #

     186,080        176,429  

Series 2015-6 B1 144A 3.598% 10/25/45 #

     174,788        166,271  

Series 2015-6 B2 144A 3.598% 10/25/45 #

     174,788        165,334  

Series 2018-4 A15 144A 3.50% 10/25/48 #

     35,288        35,039  

Sequoia Mortgage Trust

     

Series 2014-2 A4 144A 3.50% 7/25/44 #

     39,728        40,138  

Series 2015-1 B2 144A 3.875% 1/25/45 #

     60,284        57,230  

Series 2017-4 A1 144A 3.50% 7/25/47 #

     62,542        63,501  

Series 2018-5 A4 144A 3.50% 5/25/48 #

     55,010        54,684  

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust
Series 2006-AR5 2A1 4.138% 4/25/36

     8,214        6,967  

WST Trust
Series 2019-1 A 1.71% (BBSW1M + 1.08%) 8/18/50 AUD

     2,290,328        1,399,604  
     

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (cost $3,150,229)

        2,975,415  
     

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Principal amount°      Value (US $)  

Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 2.95%

                 

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2017-BNK3 B 3.879% 2/15/50

     340,000      $         319,297  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust
Series 2019-B9 A5 4.016% 3/15/52

     450,000        498,009  

COMM Mortgage Trust

     

Series 2014-CR20 AM 3.938% 11/10/47

     345,000        350,595  

Series 2015-3BP A 144A 3.178% 2/10/35 #

     500,000        511,933  

Series 2015-CR23 A4 3.497% 5/10/48

     395,000        415,909  

DB-JPM Mortgage Trust

     

Series 2016-C1 A4 3.276% 5/10/49

     255,000        268,424  

Series 2016-C3 A5 2.89% 8/10/49

     300,000        310,665  

DB-UBS Mortgage Trust
Series 2011-LC1A C 144A 5.689% 11/10/46 #

     230,000        225,697  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust

     

Series 2015-GC32 A4 3.764% 7/10/48

     505,000        522,999  

Series 2017-GS6 A3 3.433% 5/10/50

     500,000        508,460  

Series 2019-GC39 A4 3.567% 5/10/52

     580,000        606,250  

Series 2019-GC42 A4 3.001% 9/1/52

     430,000        445,878  

JPM-DB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2016-C2 A4 3.144% 6/15/49

     270,000        282,275  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2013-LC11 B 3.499% 4/15/46

     125,000        121,237  

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-C6 AJ 5.452% 9/15/39

     96,056        56,183  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust
Series 2006-HQ10 B 5.448% 11/12/41

     277,851        273,939  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2016-BNK1 A3 2.652% 8/15/49

     485,000        477,268  
     

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $6,365,531)

 

     6,195,018  
     

 

 

 
     

Sovereign Bond – 0.01%

                 

Argentina – 0.01%

     

Argentine Republic Government International Bond
5.625% 1/26/22

     90,000        26,550  
     

 

 

 

Total Sovereign Bond (cost $90,000)

        26,550  
     

 

 

 
      Number of shares          

Preferred Stock – 0.55%

                 

Morgan Stanley 5.55% µ

     35,000        30,792  

US Bancorp 5.23% (LIBOR03M + 1.02%)

     1,000        726,505  

USB Realty 144A 2.978% (LIBOR03M + 1.147%)#

     100,000        75,175  

Volkswagen 4.59%

     2,820        324,854  
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock (cost $1,287,459)

        1,157,326  
     

 

 

 

 

41


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

      Number of shares      Value (US $)  

Short-Term Investments – 4.88%

                 

Money Market Mutual Funds – 4.88%

     

BlackRock FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 0.33%)

     2,052,884      $ 2,052,884  

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 0.30%)

     2,052,884        2,052,884  

GS Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 0.34%)

     2,052,884        2,052,884  

Morgan Stanley Government Portfolio – Institutional Share Class (seven-day effective yield 0.22%)

     2,052,884        2,052,884  

State Street Institutional US Government Money Market Fund – Investor Class (seven-day effective yield 0.24%)

     2,052,884        2,052,884  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $10,264,420)

        10,264,420  
     

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities – 101.65%
(cost $204,014,428)

      $     213,688,480  
     

 

 

 

 

#

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At March 31, 2020, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $14,325,368, which represents 6.81% of the Fund’s net assets. See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

¨

Pass Through Agreement. Security represents the contractual right to receive a proportionate amount of underlying payments due to the counterparty pursuant to various agreements related to the rescheduling of obligations and the exchange of certain notes.

 

=

The value of this security was determined using significant unobservable inputs and is reported as a Level 3 security in the disclosure table located in Note 3 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

§

Developed Markets – countries that are thought to be most developed and therefore less risky than emerging markets.

 

°

Principal amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.

 

µ

Fixed to variable rate investment. The rate shown reflects the fixed rate in effect at March 31, 2020. Rate will reset at a future date.

 

Interest only security. An interest only security is the interest only portion of a fixed income security, which is separated and sold individually from the principal portion of the security.

 

y

No contractual maturity date.

 

Non-income producing security.

 

Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at March 31, 2020. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their description above. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. LIBOR03M, LIBOR06M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual

 

42


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  mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above.

 

@

Emerging Markets – developing countries with relatively low per capita income, often with above-average economic growth potential but with more risk.

The following foreign currency exchange contracts, futures contracts, and swap contracts were outstanding at March 31, 2020:1

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Counterparty

   Currency to
Receive (Deliver)
    In Exchange For      Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
 

BNYM

     TRY        (415,297     USD        63,034        4/2/20      $ 268  

TD

     AUD        (2,405,000     USD        1,588,815        6/12/20        109,201  
                

 

 

 

Total Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

               $     109,469  
                

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Contracts to Buy (Sell)   

Notional

Amount

    

Notional

Cost

(Proceeds)

    

Expiration

Date

    

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Value/

Unrealized

Depreciation

    

Variation

Margin

Due from

(Due to)

Brokers

 
(13)    US Treasury 5 yr Notes    $ (1,629,672    $ (1,590,032      6/30/20      $      $ (39,640    $ 609  
21    US Treasury 10 yr Notes      2,912,438        2,887,224        6/19/20        25,214               (2,953
(6)    US Treasury 10 yr Ultra Notes      (936,188      (875,891      6/19/20               (60,297      1,969  
        

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

      $ 421,301         $       25,214      $     (99,937    $         (375
        

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

43


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

Swap Contracts

CDS Contracts2

 

Counterparty/

Reference Obligation/

Termination Date/

Payment Frequency

  

Notional

Amount3

    

Annual

Protection

Payments

     Value     

Upfront

Payments

Paid

(Received)

   

Unrealized

Appreciation4

    

Variation

Margin

Due from

(Due to)

Brokers

 

Centrally Cleared/ Protection Purchased:

                

CDX.NA.IG.325 12/20/24- Quarterly

     3,000,000        1.00%      $ 10,772      $ (61,073   $ 71,845      $ 22,489  

Over-The-Counter/ Protection Purchased:

                

HSBC-CDX.EM.296 6/20/23- Quarterly

     2,000,000        1.00%        161,463        22,690       138,773         
        

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total CDS Contracts

         $     172,235      $     (38,383   $     210,618      $     22,489  
        

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

IRS Contracts7

                

 

Reference Obligation/

Termination Date/

Payment Frequency

(Fixed Rate /

Floating Rate)

  

Notional

Amount3

  

Fixed /Floating

Interest Rate

Paid (Received)

  

Value

 

Unrealized

Depreciation

 

Variation

Margin

Due from

(Due to)

Broker

Centrally Cleared:

                      

5 yr IRS 4/3/22-(Semiannually/ Quarterly)

       2,105,000        2.066%/(1.908%)        $ (67,630     $ (67,630     $ (693 )

5 yr IRS 3/10/23-(Semiannually/ Quarterly)

       8,365,000        0.61%/(0.999%)          (53,834 )       (53,834 )       59

5 yr IRS 8/29/24-(Semiannually/ Quarterly)

       1,380,000        1.325%/(1.580%)          (47,584 )       (47,584 )       (2,576 )

7 yr IRS 2/5/25-(Semiannually/ Quarterly)

       8,910,000        2.733%/(1.742%)          (954,616 )       (954,616 )       6,238

10 yr IRS 8/3/28-(Semiannually/ Quarterly)

       3,295,000        3.068%/(1.763%)          (654,170 )       (654,170 )       14,585

30 yr IRS 6/27/47-(Semiannually/ Quarterly)

       430,000        2.388%/(1.267%)          (162,358 )       (162,358 )       12,275
              

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total IRS Contracts

               $   (1,940,192     $   (1,940,192     $     29,888
              

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts, futures contracts, and swap contracts involve elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in these financial statements. The foreign currency exchange contracts and notional amounts presented on the previous page represent the Fund’s total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and variation margin is reflected in the Fund’s net assets.

1See Note 9 in “Notes to financial statements.”

 

44


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2A CDS contract is a risk-transfer instrument through which one party (purchaser of protection) transfers to another party (seller of protection) the financial risk of a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement), as it relates to a particular reference security or basket of securities (such as an index). Periodic payments (receipts) on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upon payment (receipt), such amounts are recorded as realized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upfront payments made or received in connection with CDS contracts are amortized over the expected life of the CDS contracts as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. The change in value of CDS contracts is recorded daily as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement) or the maturity or termination of the CDS agreement.

3Notional amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the swap is denominated in another currency.

4Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) does not include periodic interest payments (receipt) on swap contracts accrued daily in the amount of ($7,470).

5Markit’s North America Investment Grade Index, or the CDX.NA.IG Index, is composed of 125 liquid North American entities with investment grade credit ratings that trade in the CDS market.

6Markit’s CDX.EM Index is composed of 15 sovereign issuers from the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela, which have a S&P credit quality rating of CCC and above.

7An IRS agreement is an exchange of interest rates between counterparties. Periodic payments (receipt) on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap contracts. Upon periodic payment (receipt) or termination of the contract, such amounts are recorded as realized gains (losses) on swap contracts.

8Rates reset based on LIBOR03M.

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

ARM – Adjustable Rate Mortgage

AUD – Australian Dollar

BBSW1M – Bank Bill Swap Rate 1 Month

BNYM – Bank of New York Mellon

CDS – Credit Default Swap

CDX.EM – Credit Default Swap Index Emerging Markets

CDX.NA.IG – Credit Default Swap Index North America Investment Grade

CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligation

DB – Deutsche Bank

EAFE – Europe Australasia Far East

ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund

FREMF – Freddie Mac Multifamily

FTSE – Financial Times Stock Exchange

GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association

GS – Goldman Sachs

HSBC – Hong Kong Shanghai Bank

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange

IRS – Interest Rate Swap

 

45


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

Summary of abbreviations (continued):

JPM – JPMorgan

LB – Lehman Brothers

LIBOR – London interbank offered rate

LIBOR01M – ICE LIBOR USD 1 Month

LIBOR03M – ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month

LIBOR06M – ICE LIBOR USD 6 Month

LIBOR12M – ICE LIBOR USD 12 Month

MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International

PJSC – Private Joint Stock Company

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

REMIC – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit

S.F. – Single Family

TBA – To be announced

TD – Toronto-Dominion Bank

TRY – Turkish Lira

USD – US Dollar

yr – Year

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Statement of assets and liabilities   
Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund    March 31, 2020

 

Assets:

  

Investments, at value1

   $ 213,688,480  

Foreign currencies, at value2

     254,767  

Cash

     413,561  

Cash collateral due from brokers

     667,715  

Receivable for securities sold

     10,075,098  

Dividends and interest receivable

     849,800  

Foreign tax reclaims receivable

     262,817  

Unrealized appreciation on over the counter credit default swap contracts

     138,773  

Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts

     109,469  

Swap payments receivable

     49,921  

Receivable for fund shares sold

     37,835  

Variation margin due from broker on centrally cleared interest rate swap contracts

     29,888  

Upfront payments on over the counter credit default swap contracts

     22,690  

Variation margin due from broker on centrally cleared credit default swap contracts

     22,489  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     226,623,303  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payable for securities purchased

     15,711,722  

Cash collateral due to brokers

     220,000  

Other accrued expenses

     162,041  

Investment management fees payable to affiliates

     125,155  

Swap payments payable

     83,543  

Distribution fees payable to affiliates

     49,558  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     44,360  

Audit and tax fees payable

     6,450  

Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses payable to affiliates

     1,816  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable to affiliates

     1,601  

Legal fees payable to affiliates

     1,187  

Accounting and administration expenses payable to affiliates

     984  

Other liabilities

     477  

Variation margin due to broker on futures contracts

     375  

Reports and statements to shareholders expenses payable to affiliates

     266  

Income distribution payable

     141  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     16,409,676  
  

 

 

 

Total Net Assets

   $ 210,213,627  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 204,984,253  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     5,229,374  
  

 

 

 

Total Net Assets

   $ 210,213,627  
  

 

 

 

 

48


Table of Contents

    

    

 

Net Asset Value

  

Class A:

  

Net assets

   $ 156,435,332  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     17,150,515  

Net asset value per share

   $ 9.12  

Sales charge

     5.75

Offering price per share, equal to net asset value per share / (1 – sales charge)

   $ 9.68  

Class C:

  

Net assets

   $ 17,822,146  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     1,952,389  

Net asset value per share

   $ 9.13  

Class R:

  

Net assets

   $ 1,564,061  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     172,255  

Net asset value per share

   $ 9.08  

Institutional Class:

  

Net assets

   $ 34,392,088  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     3,768,694  

Net asset value per share

   $ 9.13  

 

1Investments, at cost

   $ 204,014,428  
2Foreign currencies, at cost      260,571  

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

49


Table of Contents
Statement of operations   

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

   Year ended March 31, 2020

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividends

   $ 4,091,868  

Interest

     3,309,889  

Foreign tax withheld

     (244,806
  

 

 

 
     7,156,951  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Management fees

     1,665,879  

Distribution expenses — Class A

     455,657  

Distribution expenses — Class C

     239,069  

Distribution expenses — Class R

     9,743  

Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses

     223,066  

Accounting and administration expenses

     84,095  

Audit and tax fees

     72,428  

Registration fees

     67,685  

Custodian fees

     63,011  

Reports and statements to shareholders expenses

     62,791  

Legal fees

     55,354  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     14,727  

Other

     114,686  
  

 

 

 
     3,128,191  

Less expenses waived

     (131,527

Less expenses paid indirectly

     (5,432
  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2,991,232  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     4,165,719  
  

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

    

    

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investments

   $ 5,642,883  

Foreign currencies

     (133,700

Foreign currency exchange contracts

     57,887  

Futures contracts

     89,500  

Swap contracts

     (1,056,369
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain

     4,600,201  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

  

Investments

     (28,925,508

Foreign currencies

     (4,699

Foreign currency exchange contracts

     109,800  

Futures contracts

     (189,044

Swap contracts

     (1,160,468
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (30,169,919
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Loss

     (25,569,718
  

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ (21,403,999
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Statements of changes in net assets

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

     Year ended  
     3/31/20     3/31/19  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $         4,165,719     $ 5,455,706  

Net realized gain

     4,600,201               12,442,968  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (30,169,919     (14,707,620
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (21,403,999     3,191,054  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

    

Distributable earnings:

    

Class A

     (15,220,592     (11,137,039

Class C

     (1,757,045     (1,120,892

Class R

     (154,159     (104,880

Institutional Class

     (3,648,848     (3,753,979
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (20,780,644     (16,116,790
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares sold:

    

Class A

     5,525,466       13,207,393  

Class C

     944,147       2,117,524  

Class R

     121,937       211,550  

Institutional Class

     5,143,725       10,827,096  

Net assets from merger*:

    

Class A

           35,951,477  

Class C

           18,193,221  

Class R

           1,192,059  

Institutional Class

           7,277,852  

 

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     Year ended  
     3/31/20     3/31/19  

Capital Share Transactions (continued):

    

Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

    

Class A

   $ 14,133,230     $ 10,224,109  

Class C

     1,732,225       1,093,397  

Class R

     154,156       104,878  

Institutional Class

     1,875,646       1,395,126  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     29,630,532       101,795,682  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of shares redeemed:

    

Class A

     (27,546,571     (27,865,061

Class C

     (8,472,813     (13,961,022

Class R

     (367,100     (1,004,346

Institutional Class

     (13,500,491     (32,157,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (49,886,975     (74,987,429
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

     (20,256,443     26,808,253  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (62,441,086     13,882,517  

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

     272,654,713       258,772,196  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $     210,213,627     $     272,654,713  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

*See Note 7 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund Class A

 

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

 

2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

 

3 

Expense ratios do not include expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

54


Table of Contents

    

    

 

     Year ended  
     3/31/20            3/31/19            3/31/18            3/31/17            3/31/16  

 

 
   $ 10.94        $ 11.46        $ 11.42        $ 10.80        $ 11.97  
                          0.18                                   0.22                                   0.21                                   0.17                                   0.17  
     (1.13        (0.05        0.71          0.84          (0.54
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (0.95        0.17          0.92          1.01          (0.37
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
                      
     (0.19        (0.20        (0.21        (0.24        (0.17
     (0.68        (0.49        (0.67        (0.15        (0.63
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (0.87        (0.69        (0.88        (0.39        (0.80
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 9.12        $ 10.94        $ 11.46        $ 11.42        $ 10.80  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (9.55%        1.63%          8.35%          9.45%          (3.32%
   $ 156,436        $ 195,484        $ 172,750        $ 170,801        $ 174,041  
     1.13%          1.16%          1.14%          1.14%          1.15%  
     1.18%          1.22%          1.17%          1.18%          1.18%  
     1.66%          2.00%          1.79%          1.49%          1.49%  
     1.61%          1.94%          1.76%          1.45%          1.46%  
     103%          97%          93%          133%          131%  

 

 

 

55


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund Class C

 

 

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

 

2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

 

3

Expense ratios do not include expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

    

    

 

     Year ended  
     3/31/20            3/31/19            3/31/18            3/31/17            3/31/16  

 

 
   $ 10.94        $ 11.46        $ 11.42        $ 10.80        $ 11.97  
     0.10          0.14          0.12          0.08          0.08  
     (1.12        (0.05        0.71          0.84          (0.53
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (1.02        0.09          0.83          0.92          (0.45
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
                      
     (0.11        (0.12        (0.12        (0.15        (0.09
                          (0.68                                 (0.49                                 (0.67                                 (0.15                                 (0.63
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (0.79        (0.61        (0.79        (0.30        (0.72
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 9.13        $ 10.94        $ 11.46        $ 11.42        $ 10.80  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (10.19%        0.82%          7.53%          8.62%          (4.06%
   $ 17,822        $ 27,275        $ 21,096        $ 22,602        $ 24,736  
     1.89%          1.92%          1.90%          1.90%          1.91%  
     1.94%          1.98%          1.93%          1.94%          1.94%  
     0.90%          1.24%          1.03%          0.73%          0.73%  
     0.85%          1.18%          1.00%          0.69%          0.70%  
     103%          97%          93%          133%          131%  

 

 

 

57


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund Class R

 

 

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period.

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

 

2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

 

3 

Expense ratios do not include expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Year ended  
 

 

 

 
    3/31/20         3/31/19         3/31/18         3/31/17          3/31/16  

 

 

 
  $ 10.90       $ 11.40       $ 11.37       $ 10.76       $ 11.93  
                             0.15                                  0.19                                  0.18                                  0.14                                  0.14  
    (1.12       (0.03       0.70         0.83         (0.54
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.97       0.16         0.88         0.97         (0.40
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.17       (0.17       (0.18       (0.21       (0.14
    (0.68       (0.49       (0.67       (0.15       (0.63
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.85       (0.66       (0.85       (0.36       (0.77
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 9.08       $ 10.90       $ 11.40       $ 11.37       $ 10.76  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (9.82%       1.54%         8.01%         9.11%         (3.59%
  $ 1,564       $ 1,986       $ 1,580       $ 1,801       $ 1,982  
    1.39%         1.42%         1.40%         1.40%         1.41%  
    1.44%         1.48%         1.43%         1.44%         1.44%  
    1.40%         1.74%         1.53%         1.23%         1.23%  
    1.35%         1.68%         1.50%         1.19%         1.20%  
   

 

103%

 

 

 

     

 

97%

 

 

 

     

 

93%

 

 

 

     

 

133%

 

 

 

     

 

131%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund Institutional Class

 

 

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income1
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
Total from investment operations
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income
Net realized gain
Total dividends and distributions
Net asset value, end of period.
Total return2
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets3
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived3
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

 

2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return during all of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

 

3 

Expense ratios do not include expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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      Year ended  
 

 

 

 
    3/31/20         3/31/19         3/31/18         3/31/17          3/31/16  

 

 

 
  $ 10.95       $ 11.46       $ 11.42       $ 10.80       $ 11.98  
                             0.20                                  0.25                                  0.24                                  0.19                                  0.19  
    (1.12       (0.04       0.71         0.84         (0.54
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.92       0.21         0.95         1.03         (0.35
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.22       (0.23       (0.24       (0.26       (0.20
    (0.68       (0.49       (0.67       (0.15       (0.63
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (0.90       (0.72       (0.91       (0.41       (0.83
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 9.13       $ 10.95       $ 11.46       $ 11.42       $ 10.80  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (9.29%       1.96%         8.60%         9.70%         (3.17%
  $ 34,392       $ 47,910       $ 63,346       $ 79,009       $ 73,036  
    0.89%         0.92%         0.90%         0.90%         0.91%  
    0.94%         0.98%         0.93%         0.94%         0.94%  
    1.90%         2.24%         2.03%         1.73%         1.73%  
    1.85%         2.18%         2.00%         1.69%         1.70%  
   

 

103%

 

 

 

     

 

97%

 

 

 

     

 

93%

 

 

 

     

 

133%

 

 

 

     

 

131%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund   

March 31, 2020

 

 

Delaware Group® Foundation Funds (Trust) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers one fund: Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund. The Fund is an open-end investment company. The Fund is considered diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), and offers Class A, Class C, Class R, and Institutional Class shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class A share purchases of $1,000,000 or more will incur a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) instead of a front-end sales charge of 1.00%, if redeemed during the first year, and 0.50% during the second year, provided that Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP) paid a financial advisor a commission on the purchase of those shares. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1.00%, incurred if redeemed during the first 12 months. Class R and Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors.

1. Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. The following accounting policies are in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are consistently followed by the Fund.

Security Valuation – Equity securities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), except those traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq), are valued at the last quoted sales price as of the time of the regular close of the New York Stock Exchange on the valuation date. Equity securities and ETFs traded on the Nasdaq are valued in accordance with the Nasdaq Official Closing Price, which may not be the last sales price. If, on a particular day, an equity security or ETF does not trade, the mean between the bid and ask prices will be used, which approximates fair value. Equity securities listed on a foreign exchange are normally valued at the last quoted sales price on the valuation date. Debt securities, credit default swap (CDS) contracts, and interest rate swap contracts are valued based upon valuations provided by an independent pricing service or broker/counterparty and reviewed by management. To the extent current market prices are not available, the pricing service may take into account developments related to the specific security, as well as transactions in comparable securities. US government and agency securities are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices, which approximates fair value. Valuations for fixed income securities utilize matrix systems, which reflect such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings, and are supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. For asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, commercial mortgage securities, and US government agency mortgage securities, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers prepayment speed; attributes of the collateral; yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type as well as broker/dealer-supplied prices. Swap prices are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades, and values of the underlying reference instruments. Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices, which approximates fair value. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available. Futures contracts are valued at the daily quoted settlement prices. Open-end investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (NAV). Generally, other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under the direction of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (Board). In determining whether market quotations are readily available or fair valuation will be used, various factors will be taken into consideration, such as

 

62


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market closures or suspension of trading in a security. The Fund may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-US markets because, among other things, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities, generally as of 4:00pm Eastern time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, government actions or pronouncements, aftermarket trading, or news events may have occurred in the interim. Whenever such a significant event occurs, the Fund may value foreign securities using fair value prices based on third-party vendor modeling tools (international fair value pricing). Restricted securities are valued at fair value using methods approved by the Board.

Federal and Foreign Income Taxes – No provision for federal income taxes has been made as the Fund intends to continue to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on the Fund’s federal income tax returns through the year ended March 31, 2020 and for all open tax years (years ended March 31, 2017–March 31, 2019), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other” on the “Statement of operations.” During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund did not incur any interest or tax penalties. In regard to foreign taxes only, the Fund has open tax years in certain foreign countries in which it invests in that may date back to the inception of the Fund.

Class Accounting – Investment income, common expenses, and realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments are allocated to the various classes of the Fund on the basis of daily net assets of each class. Distribution expenses relating to a specific class are charged directly to that class.

Underlying Funds – The Fund may invest in other investment companies (Underlying Funds) to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests include ETFs. The Fund will indirectly bear the investment management fees and other expenses of the Underlying Funds.

To Be Announced Trades (TBA) – The Fund may contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a transaction date beyond the customary settlement period (examples: when issued, delayed delivery, forward commitment, or TBA transactions) consistent with the Fund’s ability to manage its investment portfolio and meet redemption requests. These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or deliver securities for a predetermined price or yield with payment and delivery taking place more than three days in the future, or after a period longer than the customary settlement period for that type of security. No interest will be earned by the Fund on such purchases until the securities are delivered or the transaction is completed; however, the market value may change prior to delivery.

Foreign Currency Transactions – Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the prevailing exchange rates on the valuation date in accordance with the Fund’s prospectus. The value of all assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies is translated daily into US dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the US dollar. Transaction gains or losses resulting from

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

changes in exchange rates during the reporting period or upon settlement of the foreign currency transaction are reported in operations for the current period. The Fund generally bifurcates that portion of realized gains and losses on investments in debt securities which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of debt securities. That portion of gains (losses), which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates, is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currencies.” For foreign equity securities, the realized gains and losses are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Net realized gain (loss) on investments.” The Fund reports certain foreign currency related transactions as components of realized gains (losses) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income (loss) for federal income tax purposes.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Other – Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund. Other expenses common to various funds within the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie (Delaware Funds) are generally allocated among such funds on the basis of average net assets. Management fees and certain other expenses are paid monthly. Security transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in calculating realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted or amortized to interest income, respectively, over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Realized gains (losses) on paydowns of asset-and mortgage-backed securities are classified as interest income. Distributions received from investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) are recorded as dividend income on the ex-dividend date, subject to reclassification upon notice of the character of such distributions by the issuer. Foreign dividends are also recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon after the ex-dividend date that the Fund is aware of such dividends, net of all tax withholdings, a portion of which may be reclaimable. Withholding taxes and reclaims on foreign dividends have been recorded in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. The Fund declares and pays dividends from net investment income quarterly and distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, annually. The Fund may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

The Fund receives earnings credits from its custodian when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset custody fees. The expenses paid under this arrangement are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Custodian fees” with the corresponding expenses offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund earned $4,812 under this arrangement.

 

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The Fund receives earnings credits from its transfer agent when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset transfer agent fees. If the amount earned is greater than $1, the expenses paid under this arrangement are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses” with the corresponding expenses offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund earned $620 under this arrangement.

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates

In accordance with the terms of its investment management agreement, the Fund pays Delaware Management Company (DMC), a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly at the rate of 0.65% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets of the Fund, 0.60% on the next $500 million, 0.55% on the next $1.5 billion, and 0.50% on average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion.

DMC has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion, if any, of its management fee and/or pay/reimburse the Fund to the extent necessary to ensure total annual operating expenses (excluding any distribution and service (12b-1) fees, taxes, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations), do not exceed 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020.* For purposes of those waivers and reimbursements, nonroutine expenses may also include such additional costs and expenses, as may be agreed upon from time to time by the Board and DMC. These waivers and reimbursements apply only to expenses paid directly by the Fund and may only be terminated by agreement of DMC and the Fund. The waivers and reimbursements are accrued daily and received monthly.

DMC may seek investment advice and recommendations from its affiliates: Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (MIMAK), Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (MIMGL), and Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong (together, the “Affiliated Sub-Advisors”). The Manager may also permit these Affiliated Sub-Advisors to execute Fund security trades on behalf of the Manager and exercise investment discretion for securities in certain markets where DMC believes it will be beneficial to utilize an Affiliated Sub-Advisor’s specialized market knowledge. Although the Affiliated Sub-Advisors serve as sub-advisors, DMC has ultimate responsibility for all investment advisory services. For these services, DMC, not the Fund, pays each Affiliated Sub-Advisor a portion of its investment management fee.

MIMAK is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio and determines its asset allocation. For these services, DMC, not the Fund, pays MIMAK a fee, which is 0.12% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Jackson Square Partners, LLC (JSP), a related party of DMC, also furnishes investment sub-advisory services to the Fund. For these services, DMC, not the Fund, pays JSP fees based on the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund at the following annual rate: 0.39% of the first $500 million; 0.36% of the next $500 million; 0.33% of the next $1.5 billion; and 0.30% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion.

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administration oversight services to the Fund. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.00475% of the first $35 billion; 0.0040% of the next $10 billion; and 0.0025% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $45 billion (Total Fee). Each fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee. Each fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative NAV basis. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” For the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund was charged $13,161 for these services.

DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Fund. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly based on the aggregate daily net assets of the retail funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.014% of the first $20 billion; 0.011% of the next $5 billion; 0.007% of the next $5 billion; 0.005% of the next $20 billion; and 0.0025% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 billion. The fees payable to DIFSC under the shareholder services agreement described above are allocated among all retail funds in the Delaware Funds on a relative NAV basis. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” For the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund was charged $23,982 for these services. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYMIS), BNYMIS provides certain sub-transfer agency services to the Fund. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by the Fund and are also included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” The fees that are calculated daily and paid as invoices are received on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Pursuant to a distribution agreement and distribution plan, the Fund pays DDLP, the distributor and an affiliate of DMC, an annual 12b-1 fee of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares and 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares. The fees are calculated daily and paid monthly.

In connection with the merger with Delaware Balanced Fund, the Board has adopted a formula for calculating 12b-1 plan fees for the Fund’s Class A shares that went into effect on June 1, 1992. The Fund’s Class A shares are currently subject to a blended 12b-1 fee equal to the sum of: (1) 0.10% of the average daily net assets representing shares that were acquired prior to June 1, 1992, and (2) 0.25% of the average daily net assets representing shares that were acquired on or after June 1, 1992. All Class A shares currently bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate, the blended rate, currently 0.24% of average daily net assets, based on the formula described on the previous page. This method of calculating Class A 12b-1 fees may be discontinued at the sole discretion of the Board. These fees are calculated daily and paid monthly. Institutional Class shares do not pay 12b-1 fees.

As provided in the investment management agreement, the Fund bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal, tax, and regulatory reporting services to the Fund. For the year ended March 31, 2020, the

 

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Fund was charged $9,353 for internal legal, tax, and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Legal fees.”

For the year ended March 31, 2020, DDLP earned $7,991 for commissions on sales of the Fund’s Class A shares. For the year ended March 31, 2020, DDLP received gross CDSC commissions of $1 and $982 on redemptions of the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, respectively, and these commissions were entirely used to offset upfront commissions previously paid by DDLP to broker/dealers on sales of those shares.

Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by the Fund for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC, DIFSC, and DDLP are officers and/or Trustees of the Trust. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Fund.

In addition to the management fees and other expenses of the Fund, the Fund indirectly bears the investment management fees and other expenses of the investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which it invests. The amount of these fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund will vary based upon the expense and fee levels of the Underlying Funds and the number of shares that are owned of the Underlying Funds at different times.

 

*The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from July 27, 2018 through July 29, 2020.

3. Investments

For the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund made purchases and sales of investment securities other than US government securities and short-term investments as follows:

 

Purchases other than US government securities

     $117,226,316  

Purchases of US government securities

     142,715,116  

Sales other than US government securities

     160,902,674  

Sales of US government securities

     152,143,182  

The tax cost of investments includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be the final tax cost basis adjustments, but approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. At March 31, 2020, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and derivatives for federal income tax purposes for the Fund were as follows:

 

Cost of investments and derivatives

   $ 206,392,867  
  

 

 

 

Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investments and derivatives

   $ 29,654,701  

Aggregate unrealized depreciation of investments and derivatives

     (24,053,916
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and derivatives

   $ 5,600,785  
  

 

 

 

US GAAP defines fair value as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. A three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements has been established based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

3. Investments (continued)

 

asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. The Fund’s investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

Level 1     Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. (Examples: equity securities, open-end investment companies, futures contracts, and exchange-traded options contracts)
Level 2     Other observable inputs, including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs. (Examples: debt securities, government securities, swap contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign securities utilizing international fair value pricing, broker-quoted securities, and fair valued securities)
Level 3     Significant unobservable inputs, including the Fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. (Examples: broker-quoted securities and fair valued securities)

Level 3 investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs. The Fund may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Valuations may also be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity, and industry. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.

 

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The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by fair value hierarchy levels as of March 31, 2020:

 

     Level 1   Level 2   Level 3    Total

Securities

                 

Assets:

                 

Common Stock

                 

Communication Services

     $ 7,096,958     $ 3,900,471     $      $ 10,997,429

Consumer Discretionary

       6,599,068       3,903,160              10,502,228

Consumer Staples

       2,731,170       7,392,420              10,123,590

Energy

       1,444,320       3,291,710              4,736,030

Financials

       7,102,512       6,157,368              13,259,880

Healthcare

       9,396,378       7,128,354              16,524,732

Industrials

       4,939,453       5,386,668              10,326,121

Information Technology

       11,059,821       6,667,721              17,727,542

Materials

       2,501,255       2,884,104              5,385,359

Real Estate

       5,678,712       1,153,235              6,831,947

Utilities

       1,166,790       944,209              2,110,999

Exchange-Traded Funds

       11,309,895                    11,309,895

Limited Partnerships

       32,103                    32,103

Corporate Debt

             31,476,958              31,476,958

Municipal Bonds

             965,932              965,932

Agency, Asset & Mortgage-Backed Securities

             48,036,747              48,036,747

Loan Agreements

             1,892,692              1,892,692

Foreign Debt

             26,550              26,550

Preferred Stock1

       726,505       430,821              1,157,326

Short-Term Investments

       10,264,420                    10,264,420
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities

     $ 82,049,360     $ 131,639,120     $      $ 213,688,480
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivatives2

                 

Assets:

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

     $     $ 109,469     $      $ 109,469

Futures Contracts

       25,214                    25,214

Swap Contracts

             210,618              210,618

Liabilities:

                 

Futures Contracts

     $ (99,937  ) $           $      $ (99,937 )

Swap Contracts

             (1,940,192 )              (1,940,192 )

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

3. Investments (continued)

 

1Security type is valued across multiple levels. Level 1 investments represent exchange-traded investments and Level 2 investments represent investments with observable inputs or matrix-priced investments. The amounts attributed to Level 1 investments and Level 2 investments represent the following percentages of the total market value of these security types:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Total  

Preferred Stock

     62.77     37.23     100.00

2Foreign currency exchange contracts, futures contracts, and swap contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

The securities that have been valued at zero on the “Schedule of investments” are considered to be Level 3 investments in this table.

During the year ended March 31, 2020, there were no transfers between Level 1 investments, Level 2 investments, or Level 3 investments that had a significant impact to the Fund. This does not include transfers between Level 1 investments and Level 2 investments due to the Fund utilizing international fair value pricing during the year. In accordance with the fair valuation procedures described in Note 1, international fair value pricing of securities in the Fund occurs when market volatility exceeds an established rolling threshold. If the threshold is exceeded on a given date, then prices of international securities (those that traded on exchanges that close at a different time than the time that the Fund’s NAV is determined) are established using a separate pricing feed from a third-party vendor designed to establish a price for each such security as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is determined. Further, international fair value pricing uses other observable market-based inputs in place of the closing exchange price due to the events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded, causing a change in classification between levels. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels based on fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund has a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning, interim, or end of the period in relation to the Fund’s net assets. Management has determined not to provide a reconciliation of Level 3 investments as the Level 3 investments were not considered significant to the Fund’s net assets at the beginning, interim, or end of the year. Management has determined not to provide additional disclosure on Level 3 inputs since the Level 3 investments are not considered significant to the Fund’s net assets at the end of the year.

 

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4. Dividend and Distribution Information

Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Additionally, distributions from net gains on foreign currency transactions and net short-term gains on sales of investment securities are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

 

    

Year ended

 

 
     3/31/20      3/31/19  

Ordinary income

   $ 4,733,759      $ 5,149,123  

Long term capital gain

     16,046,885        10,967,667  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,780,644      $ 16,116,790  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis

As of March 31, 2020, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Shares of beneficial interest

   $ 204,984,253  

Undistributed ordinary income

     20,844  

Qualified late year loss deferrals

     (392,255

Net unrealized appreciation of investments, foreign currencies, and derivatives

     5,600,785  
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 210,213,627  
  

 

 

 

The differences between book basis and tax basis components of net assets are primarily attributable to tax deferral of losses on wash sales, partnership income, market discount and premium on debt instruments, mark-to-market of foreign currency exchange contracts, tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), tax treatment of securities no longer considered to be PFICs, mark-to-market on futures, and tax treatment of CDS contracts.

Qualified late year losses represent losses realized on investment transactions from Nov. 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020 that, in accordance with federal income tax regulations, the Fund has elected to defer and treat as having arisen in the following fiscal year.

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

 

6. Capital Shares

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

    

Year ended

 

 
     3/31/20     3/31/19  

Shares sold:

    

Class A

     522,851       1,185,928  

Class C

     88,141       192,703  

Class R

     11,461       19,115  

Institutional Class

     472,279       972,719  

Shares from merger:

    

Class A

           3,209,953  

Class C

           1,624,395  

Class R

           106,911  

Institutional Class

           649,229  

Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

    

Class A

     1,338,660       938,694  

Class C

     163,197       100,774  

Class R

     14,655       9,680  

Institutional Class

     177,920       128,402  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,789,164       9,138,503  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares redeemed:

    

Class A

     (2,578,339     (2,546,459

Class C

     (791,327     (1,267,014

Class R

     (36,121     (91,975

Institutional Class

     (1,257,360     (2,900,734
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (4,663,147     (6,806,182
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,873,983     2,332,321  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Certain shareholders may exchange shares of one class for shares of another class in the same Fund. These exchange transactions are included as subscriptions and redemptions in the table above and on the “Statements of changes in net assets.” For the years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Fund had the following exchange transactions:

 

   

Exchange Redemptions

   

Exchange Subscriptions

        
      Year ended  

Class A

Shares

   

Class C

Shares

   

Class A

Shares

   

 

Institutional

Class

Shares

    

Value

 
3/31/20     9,498       37,071       28,422       18,126      $ 505,356  
3/31/19     24,252       152,102       151,854       24,230        2,024,307  

 

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7. Fund Merger

As of the close of business on July 27, 2018, the Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of Delaware Foundation® Conservative Allocation Fund (“Acquired Fund”), an open-end investment company, in exchange for the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Plan and Agreement of Reorganization (“Reorganization”). For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value. The shareholders of the Acquired Fund received shares of the respective class of the Fund equal to the aggregate NAV of their shares in the Acquired Fund by a taxable exchange prior to the Reorganization, as shown in the following table:

 

     Acquired Fund
Shares
Outstanding
     Shares
Converted to
the Fund
     Acquired Fund
Net Assets
     Conversion Ratio

Class A

     3,847,090        3,209,953      $ 35,951,477      0.834

Class C

     1,940,385        1,624,395        18,193,221      0.837

Class R

     127,564        106,911        1,192,059      0.838

Institutional Class

     776,847        649,229        7,277,852      0.836

The net assets of the Fund before the acquisition were $243,255,988. The net assets of the Fund immediately following the acquisition were $305,870,597.

If the acquisition had been completed on April 1, 2018, the beginning of the Fund’s reporting period, the Fund’s results of operations for the year ended March 31, 2019, would have been as follows (unaudited):

 

Net investment income

   $ 5,886,374   (a) 

Net realized gain

     13,632,735   (b) 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (15,255,647 ) (c) 
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 4,263,462  
  

 

 

 

(a)$5,455,706, as reported in the Statement of operations, plus $430,668 net investment income from Delaware Foundation® Conservative Allocation Fund pre-merger.

(b)$12,442,968, as reported in the Statement of operations, plus $1,189,767 net realized gain from Delaware Foundation Conservative Allocation Fund pre-merger.

(c)$(14,707,620), as reported in the Statement of operations, plus $(548,027) net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Delaware Foundation Conservative Allocation Fund pre-merger.

Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practical to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Fund’s Statement of operations since July 30, 2018.

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

8. Line of Credit

The Fund, along with certain other funds in the Delaware Funds (Participants), was a participant in a $220,000,000 revolving line of credit intended to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to fund redemptions of investor shares. Under the agreement, the Participants were charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which was allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The Participants were permitted to borrow up to a maximum of one-third of their net assets under the agreement. Each Participant was individually, and not jointly, liable for its particular advances, if any, under the line of credit. The line of credit available under the agreement expired on Nov. 4, 2019.

On Nov. 4, 2019, the Participants entered into an amendment to the agreement for a $250,000,000 revolving line of credit. The revolving line of credit is to be used as described above and operates in substantially the same manner as the original agreement. The line of credit available under the agreement expires on Nov. 2, 2020.

The Fund had no amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2020, or at any time during the year then ended.

9. Derivatives

US GAAP requires disclosures that enable investors to understand: (1) how and why an entity uses derivatives; (2) how they are accounted for; and (3) how they affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position.

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts – The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts as a way of managing foreign exchange rate risk. The Fund may enter into these contracts to fix the US dollar value of a security that it has agreed to buy or sell for the period between the date the trade was entered into and the date the security is delivered and paid for. The Fund may also enter into these contracts to hedge the US dollar value of securities it already owns that are denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, the Fund may enter into these contracts to facilitate or expedite the settlement of portfolio transactions. The change in value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities, but does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to an unfavorable change in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency change favorably. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the value of its currency exchanged with the counterparty. The risk is generally mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

 

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During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund entered into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge the US dollar value of securities the Fund already owns that are denominated in foreign currencies.

Futures Contracts – A futures contract is an agreement in which the writer (or seller) of the contract agrees to deliver to the buyer an amount of cash or securities equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific security or index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. The Fund may use futures contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund may invest in futures contracts to hedge its existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in value caused by changes in interest rates or market conditions. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits cash or pledges US government securities to a broker, equal to the minimum “initial margin” requirements of the exchange on which the contract is traded. Subsequent payments are received from the broker or paid to the broker each day, based on the daily fluctuation in the market value of the contract. These receipts or payments are known as “variation margin” and are recorded daily by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Risks of entering into futures contracts include potential imperfect correlation between the futures contracts and the underlying securities and the possibility of an illiquid secondary market for these instruments. When investing in futures, there is reduced counterparty credit risk to the Fund because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. At March 31, 2020, the Fund posted $24,646 in cash as margin for open futures contracts, which is included in “Cash collateral due from brokers” on the “Statement of assets and liabilities.”

During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund entered into futures contracts to hedge the Fund’s existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in value caused by changes in interest rates or market conditions.

Swap Contracts – The Fund may enter into interest rate swap contracts and CDS contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund may enter into interest rate swap contracts to manage its sensitivity to interest rates or to hedge against changes in interest rates. The Fund may enter into CDS contracts in order to hedge against a credit event, to enhance total return or to gain exposure to certain securities or markets. The Fund will not be permitted to enter into any swap transactions unless, at the time of entering into such transactions, the unsecured long-term debt of the actual counterparty, combined with any credit enhancements, is rated at least BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (S&P) or Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or is determined to be of equivalent credit quality by DMC.

Interest Rate Swaps. An interest rate swap contract is an exchange of interest rates between counterparties. In one instance, an interest rate swap involves payments received by the Fund from another party based on a variable or floating interest rate, in return for making payments based on a fixed interest rate. An interest rate swap can also work in reverse with the Fund receiving payments based on a fixed interest rate and making payments based on a variable or floating interest rate. Interest rate swaps may be used to adjust the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rates or to hedge against changes in

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

9. Derivatives (continued)

 

interest rates. Periodic payments on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap contracts. Upon periodic payment (receipt) or termination of the contract, such amounts are recorded as realized gains or losses on swap contracts. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net value of the cash flows to be received from/paid to the counterparty over the interest rate swap contract’s remaining life, to the extent that the amount is positive. This risk is mitigated by (1) for bilateral swap contracts, having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty, and (2) for cleared swaps, trading these instruments through a central counterparty.

During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund entered into interest rate swap contracts to manage the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rates or to hedge against changes in interest rates.

Credit Default Swaps. A CDS contract is a risk-transfer instrument through which one party (purchaser of protection) transfers to another party (seller of protection) the financial risk of a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement), as it relates to a particular reference security or basket of securities (such as an index). In exchange for the protection offered by the seller of protection, the purchaser of protection agrees to pay the seller of protection a periodic amount at a stated rate that is applied to the notional amount of the CDS contract. In addition, an upfront payment may be made or received by the Fund in connection with an unwinding or assignment of a CDS contract. Upon the occurrence of a credit event, the seller of protection would pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the reference security (or basket of securities) to the counterparty. Credit events generally include, among others, bankruptcy, failure to pay, and obligation default.

During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund entered into CDS contracts as a purchaser of protection. Periodic payments (receipts) on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upon payment (receipt), such amounts are recorded as realized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upfront payments made or received in connection with CDS contracts are amortized over the expected life of the CDS contracts as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. The change in value of CDS contracts is recorded daily as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement) or the maturity or termination of the agreement. Initial margin and variation margin are posted to central counterparties for centrally cleared CDS basket trades, as determined by the applicable central counterparty. During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund did not enter into any CDS contracts as a seller of protection.

CDS contracts may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. CDS contracts are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk, either as the seller of protection or the buyer of protection, is the fair value of the contract. This risk is mitigated by (1) for bilateral swap contracts, having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty, and (2) for cleared swaps, trading these instruments through a central counterparty.

During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund entered into CDS contracts to hedge against credit events.

 

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Swaps Generally. The value of open swaps may differ from that which would be realized in the event the Fund terminated its position in the contract on a given day. Risks of entering into these contracts include the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contracts. This type of risk is generally limited to the amount of favorable movement in the value of the underlying security, instrument, or basket of instruments, if any, at the day of default. Risks also arise from potential losses from adverse market movements and such losses could exceed the unrealized amounts shown on the “Schedule of investments.” For centrally cleared swaps, payments are received from the broker or paid to the broker each day, based on the daily fluctuation in the market value of the contract. These receipts or payments are known as “variation margin” and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

At March 31, 2020, the Fund posted $643,069 in cash collateral for open centrally cleared interest rate swap contracts, which is included in “Cash collateral due from brokers” on the “Statement of assets and liabilities.” The Fund received $220,000 in cash collateral for open over-the-counter credit default swap contracts, which is included in “Cash collateral due to brokers” on the “Statement of assets and liabilities.”

Fair values of derivative instruments as of March 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

     Asset Derivatives Fair Value

Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location

   Currency
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Credit
Contracts
   Total

Variation margin due from broker on futures contracts**

     $      $ 25,214      $      $ 25,214

Variation margin due from broker on centrally cleared credit default swap contracts

                     71,845        71,845

Unrealized appreciation on over the counter credit default swap contracts

                     138,773        138,773

Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts

       109,469                      109,469
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ 109,469        $ 25,214      $ 210,618      $ 345,301
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

     Liability Derivatives Fair Value

Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location

   Interest
Rate
Contracts

Variation margin due from broker on centrally cleared interest rate swap contracts*

     $ 1,940,192

Variation margin due to brokers on futures contracts**

       99,937
    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 2,040,129
    

 

 

 

*Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of centrally cleared swap contracts from the date the contracts were opened through March 31, 2020. Only current day variation margin is reported on the

“Statement of assets and liabilities.”

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

9. Derivatives (continued)

 

**Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts from the date the contracts were opened through March 31, 2020. Only current day variation margin is reported on the “Statement of assets and liabilities.”

The effect of derivative instruments on the “Statement of operations” for the year ended March 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

     Net Realized Gain (Loss) on:
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Futures
Contracts
   Swap
Contracts
  Total

Currency contracts

     $ 57,887      $      $     $ 57,887

Interest rate contracts

              89,500        (1,022,303 )       (932,803 )

Credit contracts

                     (34,066 )       (34,066 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     $ 57,887      $ 89,500      $ (1,056,369 )     $ (908,982 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

     Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of:
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Futures
Contracts
  Swap
Contracts
  Total

Currency contracts

     $ 109,800      $     $     $ 109,800

Interest rate contracts

              (189,044 )       (1,406,210 )       (1,595,254 )

Credit contracts

                    245,742       245,742
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     $ 109,800      $ (189,044 )     $ (1,160,468 )     $ (1,239,712 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Derivatives Generally. The table below summarizes the average balance of derivative holdings by the Fund during the year ended March 31, 2020.

 

    

Long Derivatives

Volume

    

Short Derivatives

Volume

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts (average cost)

   $ 261,796      $ 642,128  

Futures contracts (average notional value)

     9,135,742        5,658,614  

CDS contracts (average notional value)*

     3,304,348         

Interest rate swap contracts (average notional value)**

            22,500,119  

*Long represents buying protection and short represents selling protection.

**Long represents receiving fixed interest payments and short represents paying fixed interest payments.

10. Offsetting

The Fund entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or a similar agreement with certain of its derivative contract counterparties in order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that

 

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governs over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and foreign exchange contracts and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting items and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements on the “Statement of assets and liabilities.”

At March 31, 2020, the Fund had the following assets and liabilities subject to offsetting provisions:

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Derivative Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

   Gross Value of
Derivative Asset
        Gross Value of
Derivative Liability
        Net Position

The Bank of New York Mellon

     $ 268           $           $ 268

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

       138,773                         138,773

Toronto Dominion Bank

       109,201                         109,201
    

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

 

Total

     $ 248,242           $           $ 248,242
    

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

  

Net Position

  

Fair Value of

Non-Cash

Collateral

Received

  

Cash Collateral

Received(a)

 

Fair Value of

Non-Cash

Collateral Pledged

  

Cash

Collateral

Pledged

  

Net Exposure(b) 

The Bank of New York Mellon

     $ 268      $      $     $      $      $ 268

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

       138,773               (110,000 )                     28,773

Toronto Dominion Bank

       109,201               (109,201 )                    
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ 248,242      $      $ (219,201 )     $      $      $ 29,041
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

10. Offsetting (continued)

 

Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements

Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (MFA) govern certain forward settling transactions, such as TBA securities, delayed-delivery or sale-buyback transactions by and between the Fund and select counterparties. The MFA maintain provisions for, among other things, transaction initiation and confirmation, payment and transfer, events of default, termination, and maintenance of collateral. As of March 31, 2020, the following table is a summary of the Fund’s TBA securities by counterparty which are subject to offsetting under MFA:

 

                         Counterparty                        

   TBA
at Value
           Cash
Collateral
Received
           Cash
Collateral
Pledged
           Net
Exposure(b)

Bank of America Securities LLC

     $ 1,749,284           $           $           $ 1,749,284

Wells Fargo

       297,892                                     297,892
    

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

 

Total

     $ 2,047,176           $           $           $ 2,047,176
    

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

 

(a)The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the derivatives as of March 31, 2020, as applicable.

(b)Net exposure represents the receivable (payable) that would be due from (to) the counterparty in the event of default.

11. Securities Lending

The Fund, along with other funds in the Delaware Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (Lending Agreement) with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). At the time a security is loaned, the borrower must post collateral equal to the required percentage of the market value of the loaned security, including any accrued interest. The required percentage is: (1) 102% with respect to US securities and foreign securities that are denominated and payable in US dollars; and (2) 105% with respect to foreign securities. With respect to each loan, if on any business day, the aggregate market value of securities collateral plus cash collateral held is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral by the end of the following business day, which, together with the collateral already held, will be not less than the applicable initial collateral requirements for such security loan. If the aggregate market value of securities collateral and cash collateral held with respect to a security loan exceeds the applicable initial collateral requirement, upon the request of the borrower, BNY Mellon must return enough collateral to the borrower by the end of the following business day to reduce the value of the remaining collateral to the applicable initial collateral requirement for such security loan. As a result of the foregoing, the value of the collateral held with respect to a loaned security on any particular day, may be more or less than the value of the security on loan. The collateral percentage with respect to the market value of the loaned security is determined by the security lending agent.

Cash collateral received by each fund of the Trust is generally invested in a series of individual separate accounts, each corresponding to a fund. The investment guidelines permit each separate account to hold certain securities that would be considered eligible securities for a money market fund. Cash collateral received is generally invested in government securities; certain obligations issued by government sponsored enterprises; repurchase agreements collateralized by US Treasury securities;

 

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obligations issued by the central government of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country or its agencies, instrumentalities, or establishments; obligations of supranational organizations; commercial paper, notes, bonds, and other debt obligations; certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other bank obligations; and asset-backed securities. The Fund can also accept US government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans.

In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to the Fund or, at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. The Fund continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to changes in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. The Fund has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, the Fund receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among the Fund, the security lending agent, and the borrower. The Fund records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.

The Fund may incur investment losses as a result of investing securities lending collateral. This could occur if an investment in the collateral investment account defaulted or became impaired. Under those circumstances, the value of the Fund’s cash collateral account may be less than the amount the Fund would be required to return to the borrowers of the securities and the Fund would be required to make up for this shortfall.

During the year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund had no securities out on loan.

12. Credit and Market Risk

When interest rates rise, fixed income securities (i.e. debt obligations) generally will decline in value. These declines in value are greater for fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations.

The risk that potential changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments which reference LIBOR. The potential abandonment of LIBOR could affect the value and liquidity of instruments which reference LIBOR.

Some countries in which the Fund may invest require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if there is deterioration in a country’s balance of payments or for other reasons, a country may impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad.

The securities exchanges of certain foreign markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, and more volatile than the major securities markets in the US. Consequently, acquisition and disposition of securities by the Fund may be inhibited. In addition, a significant portion of the aggregate market value of

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

12. Credit and Market Risk (continued)

 

equity securities listed on the major securities exchanges in emerging markets is held by a smaller number of investors. This may limit the number of shares available for acquisition or disposition by the Fund.

The Fund invests a portion of its assets in high yield fixed income securities, which are securities rated lower than BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Investments in these higher yielding securities are generally accompanied by a greater degree of credit risk than higher rated securities. Additionally, lower rated securities may be more susceptible to adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in small companies and may be subject to certain risks associated with ownership of securities of such companies. Investments in small-sized companies may be more volatile than investments in larger companies for a number of reasons, which include limited financial resources or a dependence on narrow product lines.

The Fund invests in fixed income securities whose value is derived from an underlying pool of mortgages or consumer loans. The value of these securities is sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates. Investors receive principal and interest payments as the underlying mortgages and consumer loans are paid back. Some of these securities are collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). CMOs are debt securities issued by US government agencies or by financial institutions and other mortgage lenders, which are collateralized by a pool of mortgages held under an indenture. Prepayment of mortgages may shorten the stated maturity of the obligations and can result in a loss of premium, if any has been paid. Certain of these securities may be stripped (securities which provide only the principal or interest feature of the underlying security). The yield to maturity on an interest-only CMO is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates, but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if the securities are rated in the highest rating categories.

The Fund invests in REITs and is subject to the risks associated with that industry. If the Fund holds real estate directly as a result of defaults or receives rental income directly from real estate holdings, its tax status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized. There were no direct real estate holdings during the year ended March 31, 2020. The Fund’s REIT holdings are also affected by interest rate changes, particularly if the REITs it holds use floating rate debt to finance their ongoing operations.

The Fund invests in certain obligations that may have liquidity protection designed to ensure that the receipt of payments due on the underlying security is timely. Such protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies, or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor through third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction, or through a combination of such approaches. The Fund will not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of the security.

 

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The Fund invests in bank loans and other securities that may subject it to direct indebtedness risk, the risk that the Fund will not receive payment of principal, interest, and other amounts due in connection with these investments and will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than unsecured loans in the event of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal, although there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Some loans or claims may be in default at the time of purchase. Certain of the loans and the other direct indebtedness acquired by the Fund may involve revolving credit facilities or other standby financing commitments that obligate the Fund to pay additional cash on a certain date or on demand. These commitments may require the Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when the Fund might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that the Fund is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times hold and maintain cash or other high-grade debt obligations in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments. When a loan agreement is purchased the Fund may pay an assignment fee. On an ongoing basis, the Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a loan agreement. Prepayment penalty fees are received upon the prepayment of a loan agreement by the borrower. Prepayment penalty, facility, commitment, consent and amendment fees are recorded to income as earned or paid.

As the Fund may be required to rely upon another lending institution to collect and pass on to the Fund amounts payable with respect to the loan and to enforce the Fund’s rights under the loan and other direct indebtedness, an insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the lending institution may delay or prevent the Fund from receiving such amounts. The highly leveraged nature of many loans may make them especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Investments in such loans and other direct indebtedness may involve additional risk to the Fund.

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may include securities with contractual restrictions on resale, securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other securities which may not be readily marketable. The relative illiquidity of these securities may impair the Fund from disposing of them in a timely manner and at a fair price when it is necessary or desirable to do so. While maintaining oversight, the Board has delegated to DMC, the day-to-day functions of determining whether individual securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are determined to be liquid, are not subject to the Fund’s 15% limit on investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities have been identified on the “Schedule of investments.”

13. Contractual Obligations

The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

 

14. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU), ASU 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain callable debt securities purchased at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. ASU 2017-08 does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after Dec. 15, 2018. Management has implemented ASU 2017-08 and determined that the impact of this guidance to the Fund’s net assets at the end of the period is not material.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, which changes certain fair value measurement disclosure requirements. ASU 2018-13, in addition to other modifications and additions, removes the requirement to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for the timing of transfers between levels and the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after Dec. 15, 2019. At this time, Management is evaluating the implications of these changes on the financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provides optional temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. ASU 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying this ASU.

15. Subsequent Events

On Nov. 4, 2019, the Fund, along with certain other funds in the Delaware Funds (Participants), entered into an amendment to the agreement for a $250,000,000 revolving line of credit. The revolving line of credit available was increased to $275,000,000 on May 6, 2020. The revolving line of credit is to be used as described above and operates in substantially the same manner as the original agreement.

Beginning in January 2020, global financial markets have experienced and may continue to experience significant volatility resulting from the spread of a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in travel and border restrictions, quarantines, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand and general market uncertainty. The effects of COVID-19 have and may continue to adversely affect the global economy, the economies of certain nations and individual issuers, all of which may negatively impact the Fund’s performance.

Management has determined that no other material events or transactions occurred subsequent to March 31, 2020, that would require recognition or disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements.

 

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Report of independent

registered public accounting firm

To the Board of Trustees of Delaware Group® Foundation Funds and Shareholders of Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund (the “Fund”) as of March 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2020, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2020 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agents and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 26, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Delaware Funds® by Macquarie since 2010.

 

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Other Fund information (Unaudited)

Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund

Tax Information

The information set forth below is for the Fund’s fiscal year as required by federal income tax laws. Shareholders, however, must report distributions on a calendar year basis for income tax purposes, which may include distributions for portions of two fiscal years of the Fund. Accordingly, the information needed by shareholders for income tax purposes will be sent to them in January of each year. Please consult your tax advisor for proper treatment of this information.

All disclosures are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly are subject to change. For any and all items requiring reporting, it is the intention of the Fund to report the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund reports distributions paid during the year as follows:

 

(A) Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions (Tax Basis)

     77.22

(B) Ordinary Income Distribution (Tax Basis)*

     22.78

Total Distributions.

     100.00

(C) Qualified Dividends1

     22.20

 

(A)

and (B) are based on a percentage of the Fund’s total distributions.

(C)

is based on the Fund’s ordinary income distributions.

1 

Qualified dividends represent dividends which qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.

*

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 20%. The percentage of dividends paid by the Fund from ordinary income reported as qualified dividend income is 67.49%. Complete information will be computed and reported in conjunction with your 2020 Form 1099-DIV, as applicable.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, certain distributions paid by the Fund determined to be from Qualified Interest Income or Qualified Short Term Capital Gains, may be subject to relief from U.S. withholding for foreign shareholders, as provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creations Act of 2010; and as extended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund has reported maximum distributions of Qualified Interest Income of $1,668,454 and Qualified Short Term Capital Gains of $161,394.

 

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Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

A mutual fund is governed by a Board of Trustees/Directors (“Trustees”), which has oversight responsibility for the management of a fund’s business affairs. Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the investment manager, the distributor, and others who perform services for the fund. The independent fund trustees, in particular, are advocates

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

Interested Trustee

 

     
Shawn K. Lytle1    President,    President and
2005 Market Street    Chief Executive Officer,    Chief Executive Officer
Philadelphia, PA 19103    and Trustee    since August 2015
February 1970      
      Trustee since
      September 2015

 

 

Independent Trustees

 

     
Thomas L. Bennett    Chair and Trustee    Trustee since
2005 Market Street       March 2005
Philadelphia, PA 19103      
October 1947       Chair since
      March 2015
Jerome D. Abernathy    Trustee    Since January 2019
2005 Market Street      
Philadelphia, PA 19103      
July 1959      

 

Ann D. Borowiec    Trustee    Since March 2015
2005 Market Street      
Philadelphia, PA 19103      

November 1958

 

 

         

 

1

Shawn K. Lytle is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he is an executive officer of the Fund’s(s’) investment advisor.

 

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for shareholder interests. Each trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was elected to or appointed to the Board of Trustees, and will continue to serve until his or her retirement or the election of a new trustee in his or her place. The following is a list of the Trustees and Officers with certain background and related information.

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
   Number of Portfolios in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Trustee or Officer
   Other Directorships
Held by Trustee or Officer

    

 

     
President — Macquarie
Investment Management2
(June 2015–Present)
   95   

Trustee — UBS

Relationship Funds,

SMA Relationship

Trust, and UBS Funds

(May 2010–April 2015)

Regional Head of

Americas — UBS Global

Asset Management

(April 2010–May 2015)

 

     

    

 

     

Private Investor

(March 2004–Present)

 

   95    None

Managing Member,

Stonebrook Capital

Management, LLC (financial

technology: macro factors

and databases)

(January 1993–Present)

 

   95    None

Chief Executive Officer,

Private Wealth Management

(2011–2013) and

Market Manager,

New Jersey Private

Bank (2005–2011) —

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

   95   

Director —

 

Banco Santander International

(October 2016–

December 2019)

 

Director —

Santander Bank, N.A.

(December 2016–

December 2019)

 

 

2 

Macquarie Investment Management is the marketing name for Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Fund’s(s’) investment advisor, principal underwriter, and its transfer agent.

 

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Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,

and Birth Date

  

Position(s)

Held with Fund(s)

  

Length of

Time Served

 

Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     

Joseph W. Chow

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

January 1953

 

   Trustee    Since January 2013

 

John A. Fry

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

May 1960

 

  

 

Trustee

  

 

Since January 2001

Lucinda S. Landreth

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

June 1947

   Trustee    Since March 2005

 

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Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in

Fund Complex Overseen

by Trustee or Officer

  

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee or Officer

    

 

     

Private Investor

(April 2011–Present)

   95   

Director and Audit Committee

Member — Hercules

Technology Growth

Capital, Inc.

(July 2004–July 2014)

 

President —

Drexel University

(August 2010–Present)

 

President —

Franklin & Marshall College

(July 2002–June 2010)

   95   

Director; Compensation

Committee and

Governance Committee

Member — Community

Health Systems

(May 2004–Present)

 

Director — Drexel

Morgan & Co.

(2015–2019)

 

Director and Audit Committee

Member — vTv

Therapeutics Inc.

(2017–Present)

 

Director and Audit Committee

Member — FS Credit Real

Estate Income Trust, Inc.

(2018–Present)

 

Director — Federal Reserve

Bank of Philadelphia

(January 2020–Present)

Private Investor

(2004–Present)

 

   95    None

 

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Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,

and Birth Date

  

Position(s)

Held with Fund(s)

  

Length of

Time Served

 

Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     

Frances A. Sevilla-Sacasa

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

January 1956

 

   Trustee    Since September 2011

Thomas K. Whitford

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

March 1956

 

   Trustee    Since January 2013

 

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Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in

Fund Complex Overseen

by Trustee or Officer

  

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee or Officer

    

 

     

Private Investor

(January 2017–Present)

 

Chief Executive Officer —

Banco Itaú

International

(April 2012–December 2016)

 

Executive Advisor to Dean

(August 2011–March 2012)

and Interim Dean

(January 2011–July 2011) —

University of Miami School of

Business Administration

 

President — U.S. Trust,

Bank of America Private

Wealth Management

(Private Banking)

(July 2007–December 2008)

   95   

Trust Manager and

Audit Committee

Chair — Camden

Property Trust

(August 2011–Present)

 

Director; Strategic

Planning and Reserves

Committee and Nominating

and Governance

Committee Member —

Callon Petroleum Company

(December 2019–Present)

 

Director; Audit

Committee Member —

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

(March 2018–December 2019)

Vice Chairman

(2010–April 2013) —

PNC Financial

Services Group

   95   

Director — HSBC North

America Holdings Inc.

(December 2013–Present)

 

Director — HSBC USA Inc.

(July 2014–Present)

 

Director —

HSBC Bank USA,

National Association

(July 2014–March 2017)

 

Director — HSBC

Finance Corporation

(December 2013–April 2018)

 

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Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     
Christianna Wood    Trustee    Since January 2019
2005 Market Street      
Philadelphia, PA 19103      
August 1959      

 

 

 

 

 

 

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     Number of Portfolios in     
Principal Occupation(s)    Fund Complex Overseen    Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years    by Trustee or Officer    Held by Trustee or Officer

        

     
Chief Executive Officer    95    Director; Finance Committee
and President —       and Audit Committee
Gore Creek       Member — H&R
Capital, Ltd.       Block Corporation
(August 2009–Present)       (July 2008–Present)
      Director; Investments
      Committee, Capital
      and Finance
      Committee, and Audit
      Committee Member —
      Grange Insurance
      (2013–Present)
      Trustee; Chair of
      Nominating and Governance
      Committee and Audit
      Committee Member —
      The Merger Fund
      (2013–Present),
      The Merger Fund VL
      (2013-Present),
      WCM Alternatives:
      Event-Driven Fund
      (2013–Present),
      and WCM Alternatives:
      Credit Event Fund
      (December 2017–Present)
      Director; Chair of
      Governance Committee
      and Audit Committee
      Member — International
      Securities Exchange
          (2010–2016)

 

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Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

Independent Trustees (continued)

 

Janet L. Yeomans    Trustee    Since April 1999
2005 Market Street      
Philadelphia, PA 19103      

July 1948

 

     

 

Officers

 

David F. Connor    Senior Vice President,    Senior Vice President since
2005 Market Street    General Counsel,    May 2013; General
Philadelphia, PA 19103    and Secretary    Counsel since May 2015;
December 1963       Secretary since
         

October 2005

 

Daniel V. Geatens    Vice President    Vice President and
2005 Market Street    and Treasurer    Treasurer since October 2007
Philadelphia, PA 19103      

October 1972

 

 

         
Richard Salus    Senior Vice President    Senior Vice President and
2005 Market Street    and Chief Financial Officer    Chief Financial Officer
Philadelphia, PA 19103       since November 2006

October 1963

 

 

         

 

The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund(s) includes additional information about the Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800 523-1918.

 

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     Number of Portfolios in     
Principal Occupation(s)    Fund Complex Overseen    Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years    by Trustee or Officer    Held by Trustee or Officer

 

    

Vice President and Treasurer    95    Director; Personnel and
(January 2006–July 2012),       Compensation Committee
Vice President —       Chair; Member of Nominating,
Mergers & Acquisitions       Investments, and Audit
(January 2003–January 2006),       Committees for various
and Vice President       periods throughout
and Treasurer       directorship —
(July 1995–January 2003) —       Okabena Company
3M Company       (2009–2017)

 

    

     
David F. Connor has served    95    None3
in various capacities at      
different times at      
Macquarie Investment      
Management.          
Daniel V. Geatens has served    95    None3
in various capacities at      
different times at      
Macquarie Investment      

Management.

 

         
Richard Salus has served    95    None
in various capacities      
at different times at      
Macquarie Investment      
Management.          

 

3 

David F. Connor and Daniel V. Geatens serve in similar capacities for the six portfolios of the Optimum Fund Trust, which have the same investment advisor, principal underwriter, and transfer agent as the registrant. Mr. Geatens also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Optimum Fund Trust, and he is the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund Inc.

 

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About the organization

 

Board of trustees

Shawn K. Lytle

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Delaware Funds®

by Macquarie

Philadelphia, PA

 

Thomas L. Bennett

Chairman of the Board

Delaware Funds

by Macquarie

Private Investor

Rosemont, PA

 

Jerome D. Abernathy

Managing Member

Stonebrook Capital

Management, LLC

Jersey City, NJ

  

Ann D. Borowiec

Former Chief Executive

Officer

Private Wealth Management

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

New York, NY

 

Joseph W. Chow

Former Executive Vice

President

State Street Corporation

Boston, MA

 

John A. Fry

President

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

  

Lucinda S. Landreth

Former Chief Investment

Officer

Assurant, Inc.

New York, NY

 

Frances A.

Sevilla-Sacasa

Former Chief Executive

Officer

Banco Itaú International

Miami, FL

  

Thomas K. Whitford

Former Vice Chairman

PNC Financial Services Group

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Christianna Wood

Chief Executive Officer

and President

Gore Creek Capital, Ltd.

Golden, CO

 

Janet L. Yeomans

Former Vice President and

Treasurer

3M Company

St. Paul, MN

 

Affiliated officers

 

David F. Connor    Daniel V. Geatens    Richard Salus   
Senior Vice President,    Vice President and    Senior Vice President and   
General Counsel,    Treasurer    Chief Financial Officer   
and Secretary    Delaware Funds    Delaware Funds   
Delaware Funds    by Macquarie    by Macquarie   
by Macquarie    Philadelphia, PA    Philadelphia, PA   
Philadelphia, PA         

This annual report is for the information of Delaware Strategic Allocation Fund shareholders, but it may be used with prospective investors when preceded or accompanied by the Delaware Fund fact sheet for the most recently completed calendar quarter. These documents are available at delawarefunds.com/literature.

 

 

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, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities, are available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. In addition, a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities and the Schedule of Investments included in the Fund’s most recent Form N-PORT are available without charge on the Fund’s website at delawarefunds.com/literature. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800 SEC-0330.

Information (if any) regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Fund’s website at delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

 

98


Item 2. Code of Ethics

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. A copy of the registrant’s Code of Business Ethics has been posted on the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Internet Web site at www.delawarefunds.com. Any amendments to the Code of Business Ethics, and information on any waiver from its provisions granted by the registrant, will also be posted on this Web site within five business days of such amendment or waiver and will remain on the Web site for at least 12 months.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that certain members of the registrant’s Audit Committee are audit committee financial experts, as defined below. For purposes of this item, an “audit committee financial expert” is a person who has the following attributes:

a. An understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;

b. The ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves;

c. Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

d. An understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

e. An understanding of audit committee functions.

An “audit committee financial expert” shall have acquired such attributes through:

a. Education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, or auditor or experience in one or more positions that involve the performance of similar functions;

b. Experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor, or person performing similar functions;

c. Experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing, or evaluation of financial statements; or

d. Other relevant experience.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has also determined that each member of the registrant’s Audit Committee is independent. In order to be “independent” for purposes of this item, the Audit Committee member may not: (i) other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof, accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the issuer; or (ii) be an “interested person” of the registrant as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.


The names of the audit committee financial experts on the registrant’s Audit Committee are set forth below:

Jerome D. Abernathy
John A. Fry
Thomas K. Whitford, Chair
Christianna Wood

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

(a) Audit fees.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $49,240 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $48,270 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

(b) Audit-related fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $909,000 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These audit-related services were as follows: year-end audit procedures; group reporting and subsidiary statutory audits.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $640,000 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2019. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These audit-related services were as follows: year-end audit procedures; group reporting and subsidiary statutory audits.


(c) Tax fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $6,501 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These tax-related services were as follows: review of income tax returns and review of annual excise distribution calculations.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $5,738 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These tax-related services were as follows: review of income tax returns and review of annual excise distribution calculations.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

(d) All other fees.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.

The aggregate fees billed for all services other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item provided by the registrant’s independent auditors to the registrant’s adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

The aggregate fees billed for all services other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item provided by the registrant’s independent auditors to the registrant’s adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2019. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.


(e) The registrant’s Audit Committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures as permitted by Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(B) of Regulation S-X (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) with respect to services provided by the registrant’s independent auditors. Pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant up to the specified fee limits. Certain fee limits are based on aggregate fees to the registrant and other registrants within the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie.

Service Range of Fees
Audit Services
Statutory audits or financial audits for new Funds up to $40,000 per Fund
Services associated with SEC registration statements (e.g., Form N-1A, Form N-14, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters for closed-end Fund offerings, consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 per Fund
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be considered “audit-related services” rather than “audit services”) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
Audit-Related Services
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and /or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be considered “audit services” rather than “audit-related services”) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
Tax Services

U.S. federal, state and local and international tax planning and advice (e.g., consulting on statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, evaluation of Funds’ tax compliance function, etc.)

up to $25,000 in the aggregate

U.S. federal, state and local tax compliance (e.g., excise distribution reviews, etc.)

up to $5,000 per Fund
Review of federal, state, local and international income, franchise and other tax returns up to $5,000 per Fund

Under the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has also pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant’s investment adviser and other entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provide ongoing services to the registrant (the “Control Affiliates”) up to the specified fee limit. This fee limit is based on aggregate fees to the investment adviser and its Control Affiliates.



Service Range of Fees
Non-Audit Services
Services associated with periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 in the aggregate

The Pre-Approval Policy requires the registrant’s independent auditors to report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular meetings regarding all services initiated since the last such report was rendered, including those services authorized by the Pre-Approval Policy.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services rendered to the registrant and to its investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser were $4,687,000 and $11,748,000 for the registrant’s fiscal years ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively.

(h) In connection with its selection of the independent auditors, the registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the independent auditors’ provision of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser that were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X. The Audit Committee has determined that the independent auditors’ provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments

(a) Included as part of report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

(b) Divestment of securities in accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

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 Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.


Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing of this report and have concluded that they are effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant in its reports or statements filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the report to stockholders included herein 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.

Item 13. Exhibits

(a)  (1) Code of Ethics
 
       Not applicable.
 
(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
 
(3) Written solicitations to purchase securities pursuant to Rule 23c-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
       Not applicable.
 
(b)   Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


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.


DELAWARE GROUP
® FOUNDATION FUNDS


SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: June 4, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: June 4, 2020
 
 
RICHARD SALUS
By: Richard Salus
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: June 4, 2020

EXHIBIT 99.CERT

CERTIFICATION

I, Shawn K. Lytle, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Delaware Group® Foundation Funds;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 
(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



Date: June 4, 2020
 
 
SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer


CERTIFICATION

I, Richard Salus, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Delaware Group® Foundation Funds;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 
(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



Date: June 4, 2020
 
 
RICHARD SALUS
By: Richard Salus
Title:  Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT 99.906CERT

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the attached report of the registrant on Form N-CSR to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the registrant does hereby certify, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
2. The information contained in the Report fairly represents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

Date: June 4, 2020
 
 
SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
RICHARD SALUS
By: Richard Salus
Title:  Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signatures that appear in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.




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